How the Disney Animators Found Her
Marc Davis, an animator for the Walt Disney studio, told the Los Angeles Times that he “had several partial models in mind when [he] drew Cruella,” but only took the time to mention one name in particular: “Tallulah.” She had already earned a stark reputation as one of the most over-the-top women in entertainment.
Photo by John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
When looking for inspiration for the soon-to-be-created cartoon supervillain, Disney, Davis, and their team set out to find someone who, in theory, was so evil that she might even consider killing puppies if it meant getting what she wanted. They were well-connected Hollywood men who heard stories about the other prominent people in entertainment. Tallulah was the primary point of reference.