Dan Mills was an accomplished American animator and layout artist whose career in animation spanned over four decades, from 1956 until his retirement in 2002. His influence can be seen in a myriad of popular animated television shows and films.

Mills began his journey in animation in 1956, contributing to several notable projects throughout his career. He was an animator for the 1964 episodes of Linus the Lionhearted and the Cyrano episode of the ABC Afterschool Special. During the 1970s, he worked on the Hanna-Barbera television series such as Jabberjaw, Partridge Family 2200 A.D., These Are the Days, and Godzilla.

Apart from animating, Mills excelled in various roles within the animation industry, serving as a layout supervisor, layout artist, art director, and story director. Notably, he was the art director for the 1965 Cambria Productions series, Captain Fathom. In 1973, he became the story director for three different Hanna-Barbera series: Speed Buggy, Goober and the Ghost Chasers, and Inch High, Private Eye.

His expertise in animation layout was significant. Mills was the layout supervisor for the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series by Filmation during the 1980s. He also held layout supervisor credits for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and a 1990 cartoon, Happily Ever After.

As a layout artist, Mills contributed to several television series, including Pandamonium, which aired on CBS from 1982 to 1983, and episodes of Family Guy. His work extended to feature-length animated films, such as The Secret of the Sword for Filmation in 1985, Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night in 1987, Freddie as F.R.O.7 in 1992, Asterix Conquers America in 1994, The Pagemaster in 1994, and Cats Don't Dance, released in 1997.

His final professional credit was as a storyboard artist for The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, a direct-to-video sequel released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment in 2002. Dan Mills passed away on December 5, 2011, at the age of 80. His funeral was held at the First United Methodist Church in Reseda, California.