Judson Green, a philanthropist, musician and former Walt Disney Co. executive, has died. He was 68.
Green worked for Disney nearly 20 years. He served as president of Walt Disney World and in 1991 became president of Walt Disney Attractions, which created projects around the globe. He also had been senior vice president and chief financial officer for the resort that became Disneyland Paris.
He left Disney to take the position of president and CEO of Chicago-based NAVTEQ Corp. in 2000.
Among the accomplishments during his Disney tenure was the development and opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998, which remains Disney World’s newest theme park.
Green died at his Orlando home on Monday. He had had complications from a stem-cell transplant.
“It was with sadness that we learned of Judson Green’s passing. He was passionate about leadership and creativity and will be greatly missed by many,” Jeff Vahle, Walt Disney World current president, said in a statement.
Cast members of the era recall Green casually playing the piano at locations such as Pleasure Island Jazz Company and other events.
Green and his wife, Joyce, were major supporters of downtown Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, donating $6 million over the years. A performance venue in the under-construction expansion of the venue will be named the Green Room after the couple, both of whom as served on the center’s board of directors.
Judson Green, born in Quincy, Illinois, on June 27, 1952, began learning to play piano at age 4, and music played a key role in his life. While studying economics and music composition at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, he would have weekend gigs in Chicago with performers such as Bobby Vinton and Pat Boone. Later in life, Green would complete several jazz albums of his work on the piano.
“As a 21st-century musician, I have come to realize that music is for life’s sake, which explains why I am just as passionate about Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ as I am with James Taylor’s recording of ‘Up on the Roof,'” he wrote on a website for his music.
Green was chairman of DePauw’s board of trustees from 2001 to 2004. He and his wife’s monetary donations helped rebuild their alma mater’s performing arts center.
After graduating from college, he took a job with accounting firm Arthur Young & Co. In 1981, he was recruited by Disney. Green and his wife, who grew up in Maitland, were eager to escape the Midwest’s winters. They had honeymooned at Disney World in 1975. His hiring led them and their children to career stops in France, California and Florida.
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and three grandchildren.
No memorial services have been planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations in honor of Green can be made to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (155 E. Anderson St. in Orlando).
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