Walt Disney, The Man
Walt Disney's work has had such an impact on the world that the mention of his name brings thoughts of animated movies, fantastic theme parks, and a certain superstar mouse, and it is easy to forget that behind the empire was a man with a vision. This lens takes a look at that man.
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Walt Disney
- He is not frozen. His body was cremated, and his ashes are interred at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California, near his studio.
- Mickey Mouse's original name allegedly was Mortimer but Disney's wife Lillian objected because she thought it too "sissified."
- Some of the names originally considered for the dwarfs in Snow White were: Deafy, Dirty, Awful, Blabby,
Burpy, Gabby, Puffy, Stuffy, Nifty, Tubby, Biggo Ego, Flabby, Jaunty, Baldy, Lazy, Dizzy, Cranky and Chesty. - Walt Disney suffered a nervous breakdown in 1931 and descended into depression after the war, concentrating his attention on model trains rather than on motion pictures.
- Fantasia was the result of a chance meeting between Walt Disney and symphony conductor Leopold Stokowski at Chasen's restaurant.
- During World War II the Disney studio became a war factory with well over 90% of its production in the service of government training, education and propaganda films.
- The studio stopped production for six months on Pinocchio because Walt felt the title character wasn't likable enough. During this time he devised the idea of introducing Jiminy Cricket as Pinocchio's conscience.
- Walt Disney received more Academy Awards than any other individual - 32.
- Disney modeled Mickey Mouse on Charlie Chaplin and that Chaplin later assisted the Disneys by loaning them his financial books so they could determine what kind of proceeds they should be getting from their distributor on Snow White.
- MGM head Louis B. Mayer once rejected the opportunity to distribute Mickey Mouse cartoons shortly after Walt had invented the character because Mayer said that pregnant women would be frightened by a giant mouse on screen.
Vintage Video Clips from Walt Disney Productions
Walt Disney at a Glance
Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 ? December 15, 1966) was a multiple Academy Award-winning American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Disney is famous for his influence in the field of entertainment during the twentieth century. As the co-founder (with his brother Roy O. Disney) of Walt Disney Productions, Disney became one of the best-known motion picture producers in the world. The corporation he co-founded, now known as The Walt Disney Company, today has annual revenues of approximately U.S. $35 billion.
Disney is particularly noted for being a film producer and a popular showman, as well as an innovator in animation and theme park design. He and his staff created a number of the world's most famous fictional characters, including the one many consider Disney's alter ego, Mickey Mouse. He received fifty-nine Academy Award nominations and won twenty-six Oscars, including a record four in one year, and thus holds the record for the individual with the most awards and the most nominations. He also won seven Emmy Awards. He is the namesake for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the United States, Japan, France, and China.
Disney died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, a few years prior to the opening of his Walt Disney World Resort dream project in Florida.
Top-Rated Walt Disney Biographies from Amazon
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney (Simpson Book in the Humanities)
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How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life (How to Be Like)
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WALT DISNEY: AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL
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Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination
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Share your thoughts on Walt Disney.
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lisadh
Love the trivia. Great job! Posted September 24, 2008 |
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ElenaFraga
Walt Disney Has been one of My INSPIRING HEROES since I was about 5 Years Old. The reason is quite Obvious. That wonderful Man Had the capacity and the Vision to Make Millions of People Happy throughout the years, and He made a Profitable Empire around that Goal. Posted February 09, 2008 |
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rejoicemusic
Excellent lens on an interesting person. 5 stars for you! Patrice Posted September 06, 2007 |
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Aika
I always salute this great man. He made a history in entertainment industry. 5 stars from a fan! Posted September 06, 2007 |
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rms
Nice tribute to one of my favorite men. Posted September 05, 2007 |
