Digital media pioneer Bob Lambert dies at 55

Bob Lambert, a digital media trailblazer, passed away suddenly Friday (Sept. 7) at his home in Glendale, Calif., his family tells the AP. He was 55 years old. A cause of death was not released.

For 25 years, Lambert worked at the Walt Disney Company, playing a big role in creating animated films and moving the company toward the digital age, particularly in his work as founder and chairman of DCI LLC, a six-studio consortium that moved movie theaters away from using film projectors in favor of digital projection.

Motion Picture Association of America CEO Chris Dodd says in a statement, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Lambert. A pioneer for both the creative and tech communities, Bob led us into the transition from celluloid film to digital, and forever improved the quality of our films and our movie-watching experience."

The family has asked that in lieu of memorials or flowers, contributions in Lambert's name be made to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.