**Ron Clements Unveils Disney Cameos in New Memoir**
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Legendary Disney director Ron Clements, renowned for his collaboration with John Musker on animated classics such as *The Little Mermaid* and *Hercules*, shares delightful behind-the-scenes anecdotes in his newly released memoir, *Making Disney Magic… from a Mermaid to Moana*, published by Random House Worlds. Fans of Disney films may be surprised to learn that Clements and Musker have made cameo appearances in numerous films, and now the reasons behind this recurring tradition are explored in detail.
Clements, now aged 73, explains that the practice of including their likenesses in animated films began quite by chance. It was during the creation of the 1992 film *Aladdin* that animator Mike Cedeno initially depicted two men in a crowd scene, who were meant to parody film critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. However, after some discussion, Clements and Musker opted for a playful twist. “We thought we might be asking for trouble mocking critics and asked Mike to change them,” Clements recalls. This led to the characters being transformed into caricatures of himself and Musker, laying the foundation for what would become a beloved tradition.
The duo recorded their own voices for these animated avatars, which sparked a positive response from their colleagues at Disney. This initial cameo paved the way for several others in subsequent films. According to Clements, they have since managed to make appearances in every film they directed together, often situated in scenes at the beginning of their movies.
In *Making Disney Magic*, Clements not only revisits his personal journey from a modest upbringing in Iowa to becoming a celebrated animator and director but also chronicles the evolution of Disney Animation. Initially, the memoir began as a project designed to document the history of Disney Animation following Walt Disney’s death in 1966. However, it transformed into a personal reflection after Musker’s retirement in 2018 after a remarkable 40 years with the studio.
To compile the memoir, Clements conducted extensive interviews with over 200 individuals, including notable figures like Tim Burton and Taika Waititi. Clements aimed to provide readers with an authentic glimpse into the experiences and dynamics of working within the studio. “It’s kind of a roller coaster,” he remarked, acknowledging the ups and downs of a career filled with both challenges and triumphs.
Though Clements retired from Disney in 2016, he has recently returned to the studio in a mentoring role, visiting the Burbank headquarters twice a week. This new chapter in his career has rekindled his passion for animation and offers him the chance to guide the next generation of creators. “It is kind of full circle,” he noted, reflecting on how watching *Pinocchio* at the age of nine inspired him to work at Disney.
When asked about potential new projects in the pipeline, Clements remained coy, teasing, “We’ll see.” He expressed enjoyment in his return to the studio, though he remained tight-lipped about any specific developments.
For fans keen to spot Clements and Musker in their films, here is a brief guide to their cameos:
1. In *Aladdin*, they appear as bystanders commenting on Prince Achmed’s entrance, visible about ten minutes into the film.
2. In *Hercules*, the pair take on the role of construction workers who find themselves in a precarious situation at the archway just after Hercules arrives at Agora, appearing around the 14-minute mark.
3. Originally intended to show up as constellations in the sky in the same film, this cameo was ultimately cut.
4. In *Treasure Planet*, they are depicted as a hairy alien and a robot providing directions to Jim Hawkins, appearing around 16 minutes into the film.
5. During *The Princess and the Frog*, they make a messy entrance as party guests who get covered in cake, at approximately 31 minutes into the movie.
6. Later in the same film, they ride a King Triton-themed float during a Mardi Gras celebration, tossing beads to the audience.
7. Lastly, in *Moana*, they can be seen on a tapa cloth design in a relatively subtle cameo during the song “Where You Are.”
*Making Disney Magic… from a Mermaid to Moana* is now available at bookstores and online, offering an inside look at Disney’s animation legacy alongside personal narratives from one of the industry’s most influential creators.