Andreas Deja (Legendary Disney Animator)

September 7, 2025

This week on Toon’d In!, Jim Cummings welcomes the legendary and masterfully expressive Andreas Deja! Renowned as one of Disney’s most iconic animators, Andreas brings a treasure trove of stories, insights, and artistic passion to a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and nostalgic. From bringing to life some of animation’s most unforgettable villains—like the menacing Scar in The Lion King and the flamboyant Jafar in Aladdin—to shaping beloved heroes like Hercules, Andreas takes us deep into the heart of hand-drawn animation. He and Jim dive into the craft of character performance through pencil and paper, the delicate balance between artistry and storytelling, and the evolution of animation from golden age traditions to modern-day innovations. 🎙️ Curious how a pencil became the ultimate acting tool for some of cinema’s greatest characters? Tune in and get Toon’d In! 📺Check out the trailer to Andreas' film Mushka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnTL5h3GC6g 🎟️ Meet Jim and Andreas in person! Catch Jim Cummings at these upcoming conventions: - Amazing Art Expo (Las Vegas, NV) – September 12–14 - Nostalgia Con (Milwaukee, WI) – September 26–28 - Smoky Mountain Anime Fest (Gatlinburg, TN) – October 17–19 - Armageddon Expo (New Zealand) - October 24-27 - Supanova Comic Con Adelaide (Australia) - October 31 - November 2 - Supanova Comic Con Brisbane (Australia) - November 7-9 - Nostalgia Con (New Orleans, LA) – November 21–23 - Nostalgia Con (Salt Lake City, UT) – March 13–14, 2026 Stay Toon'd for more appearances—because these legends are just getting started! 🎧 Listen on Spotify: bit.ly/4fHWwxa 🍎 Listen on Apple: bit.ly/3AmUYZi 💖 Support on Patreon: patreon.com/jimcummingspodcast 🎉 Order a Cameo from Jim: cameo.com/toondinjimcumming