| Full Name | Walter Elias Disney |
| Born | December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | December 15, 1966 in Burbank, California |
| Occupation | Animator, Film Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth | $1 Billion |
| Spouse | Lillian Disney |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
Walt Disney is one of the most iconic figures in entertainment history. As an animator, film producer, and entrepreneur, he revolutionized the animation industry and created an international media empire that continues to have an enduring cultural impact today.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in 1901 in Chicago, Walt Disney developed a love of drawing and art from a young age. During his teens, he took classes at the Chicago Art Institute and landed cartooning jobs at his high school paper and other local publications. After serving overseas as a Red Cross ambulance driver in World War I, Walt pursued a career as a commercial artist in Kansas City. He experimented with animation in his spare time and eventually opened up an animation studio called Laugh-O-Gram Films. Though it went bankrupt within two years, this experience paved the way for bigger things.
In 1923, Walt joined forces with his brother Roy to establish the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Hollywood. Here, Walt created an early version of his most famous character – a plucky, animated mouse named Mortimer. On Roy‘s suggestion, Mortimer became Mickey Mouse instead. Mickey made his black-and-white debut in 1928‘s Steamboat Willie, the first animated film with fully synchronized sound. This short film was an enormous success and propelled Walt‘s studio into the limelight.
The Rise of Walt Disney‘s Studio
Throughout the 1930s, Walt Disney Studios churned out dozens of beloved animated shorts featuring Mickey Mouse and other characters like Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and Pluto. Walt constantly pushed himself to innovate, taking risks on new technologies like the multiplane camera. This allowed his animators to create films with unprecedented depth and perspective.
In 1937, Walt released his first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Costing over $1.5 million during the Great Depression, it was dubbed "Disney‘s Folly" by critics. But it became a massive box office success and allowed Walt to build a larger studio in Burbank. This ushered in Disney‘s "Golden Age of Animation" which included such classics as Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), Dumbo (1941), and Bambi (1942).
Building an Entertainment Empire
With profits booming in the late 1930s and 1940s, Walt expanded the Disney company into new areas beyond short cartoons. He licensed the Disney characters for toys, books, clothing, and other merchandise. This built revenue streams outside of film. Walt also capitalized on the new medium of television, creating the hit show The Mickey Mouse Club which aired from 1955 to 1959.
Disney diversified into live-action films, nature documentaries, and publications as well. But perhaps Walt‘s boldest move was into theme parks. Disneyland opened in 1955 in Anaheim, California and became a huge success. Over 650 million guests have visited since then. According to Forbes, the Disney parks division now generates over $24 billion annually.
Major Innovation in the 1960s
In the 1960s, Walt continued to break boundaries in entertainment. For the 1964 New York World‘s Fair, his Imagineering team built bold attractions like "It‘s a Small World" and "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." He also planned his most ambitious theme park yet – Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. Though Walt passed away in 1966, Roy ensured its completion in 1971.
On the film side, Walt won four Academy Awards for 1964‘s Mary Poppins, which integrated live-action and animation using innovative techniques. The Jungle Book (1967) was the last animated film Walt personally supervised before his death. Walt‘s drive to try new things pushed the Disney company to incredible heights.
Death and Legacy
On December 15, 1966, Walt Disney passed away from lung cancer at the age of 65. He left behind a vast creative empire of beloved characters, films, TV shows, books, music, and theme parks. Under new leadership, The Walt Disney Company has continued to thrive, acquiring studios like Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm over the years.
Walt won 22 Academy Awards over his lifetime, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964. By spearheading advancements across multiple areas of entertainment, he set the template for the modern media conglomerate. More than 50 years after his death, Walt‘s name remains synonymous with magic, dreams, and nostalgia worldwide.
Timeline of Major Events
- 1901 – Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5
- 1923 – Founds the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio with brother Roy
- 1928 – Release of Mickey Mouse‘s debut film Steamboat Willie
- 1937 – Release of first animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- 1955 – Opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, California
- 1966 – Dies of lung cancer at age 65 on December 15
- 1971 – Opening of Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida
- 2006 – Disney acquires Pixar Animation Studios for $7.4 billion
- 2019 – Launch of Disney+ streaming service with over 10 million subscribers on day one
Significant Innovations
- Creation of timeless animated characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy
- Multiplane camera to add depth and layers to animation
- First synchronized sound in an animated film – Steamboat Willie (1928)
- First American full-length animated movie – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- Early stereo sound systems like Fantasound for films like Fantasia (1940)
- Concept for the first modern theme park – Disneyland (1955)
- Audio-animatronics technology used in park attractions
- Seamless integration of animation and live-action in movies like Mary Poppins (1964)
Fascinating Facts About Walt Disney
- Walt initially wanted to be an actor but lacked confidence and talent.
- Mickey Mouse‘s original name was Mortimer but his wife Lillian convinced him to change it.
- His studios produced over 150 wartime propaganda and instructional films during WW2.
- Disneyland‘s opening day in 1955 was a disaster, with ride breakdowns and restaurants running out of food.
- Walt pioneered TV shows in the 1950s to help fund his theme park dreams.
- He received more Academy Awards and nominations than any other person in history.
- When Walt died, he left behind over $100 million for his charitable foundation.
Walt Disney‘s Lasting Impact
Walt Disney made an indelible impact on entertainment and pop culture worldwide. Some key ways he continues to inspire today:
- Iconic animated films and characters that generations have cherished
- Drove major technical innovations in animation and filmmaking
- Constructed magical theme parks that realized his boundless creativity
- Created timeless stories with universal appeal
- Inspired imagination, optimism, and creativity in children and adults
- Multi-billion dollar company that dominates global entertainment today
- Pioneering spirit to take bold risks and embrace new ideas
Walt Disney transformed animation from a novelty into an art form, creating an entire industry of family entertainment. His relentless creativity produced unforgettable stories, characters, and experiences that will be enjoyed for generations to come. He demonstrated the power of imagination and tenacity – a legacy that continues to inspire dreamers around the world.