Bambi artist Tyrus Wong dies at 106

Tyrus Wong, the artist whose works inspired the Disney film Bambi, has died aged 106.

Bambi [US 1942] Source: AAP

Tyrus Wong, whose paintings served as visual inspiration for Disney's animated classic Bambi, has died. He was 106.

Wong's death on December 30 was announced on his Facebook page.

"With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Tyrus Wong," the post read. "Tyrus died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving daughters Kim, Kay and Tai-Ling. He was 106 years old."

Wong was born in China before immigrating to the US when he was nine. From there he went to art school on a scholarship followed by accepting a low-level animation job in 1938.

After hearing about Walt Disney's Bambi project he put together some paintings of deer in a forest, which impressed Disney enough to use them as inspiration for the film. The animated classic isn't all Wong is known for though, he's also worked on film's like Rebel Without a Cause, The Green Berets, and The Wild Bunch.

In 2001, Wong was named a Disney Legend, and in 2013 he had his artwork featured in the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Wong is survived by his daughters Kim, Kay and Tai-Ling.