Actor Will Ryan, best known for his role as Petrie in the much-loved animated film The Land Before Time, has passed away following a battle with cancer. He was 72 years old. Ryan's talent agent Nery Lemus confirmed that the actor died on November 19.
"The world is a little less bright tonight with the passing of Will Ryan," Lemus wrote in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. "As much as he was known to many of you as a Disney icon, voice-over legend, gun twirling cowboy, musician/songwriter, a brilliant comedic actor, along with a list of credits that don't even touch the essence of what he accomplished.... he was my friend.
"For those who didn't know him, he was a beautiful person. He was selfless. His humility was endless. He spent his entire life helping others and the loss his friends and family feel tonight would be a tragic understatement. He was a beautiful soul and I was honored to just know him, let alone represent him. I can't find all the words that would express what he meant to our company CelebWorx, and the rest of the world he touched with his talent."
Ryan's impressive career spanned a number of well-known animated projects. While his most notable appearance came in 1988's The Land Before Time, he also lent his voice to Disney for all manner of animated shorts ranging from Winnie The Pooh And A Day For Eeyore to Dumbo's Circus, and even The Little Mermaid.
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Ryan is survived by his wife, Niparko Ryan, and his siblings Patty, George, and Marsha Ryan Russo.
Featured Image Credit: Disney/UniversalTopics: TV And Film, Disney
