Walt Disney
Walter Elias Disney was born on the 5th of December 1901 at 1249 Tripp Avenue in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood. He moved to a farm in Marceline, Missouri when he was four years old. The family lived near the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line. Young Walt became enamored with trains and drew cartoons on the side of his ambulance during World War I service. He practiced drawing by copying front-page cartoons from Ryan Walker's newspaper. His uncle Robert had just purchased land there. Disney later described this period as one of the happiest and most formative times of his life.
Disney opened Laugh-O-Gram Studio in May 1921 after producing short animated fairy tales. The studio went into bankruptcy in 1923 despite creating Alice's Wonderland. He moved to Hollywood in July 1923 at age 21. Ub Iwerks joined him that same year. They created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Universal Pictures distributor Charles Mintz. Mintz threatened to take the character away if Disney refused payment cuts. Disney lost most staff except Iwerks who chose to stay. This loss led directly to the creation of Mickey Mouse in 1928.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in December 1937 costing $1.5 million to produce. Industry insiders called it Disney's Folly before its release. Animators studied realistic movement by bringing animals into the studio. They developed a multiplane camera allowing drawings on glass pieces to create depth illusions. The Old Mill won an Academy Award using this new technology. Pinocchio and Fantasia both released in 1940 but incurred losses due to European war disruptions. Dumbo followed in 1941 as a simple inexpensive production receiving positive reactions from audiences.
Disney formed the Walt Disney Training Films Unit shortly after World War II began. Four Methods of Flush Riveting served military instruction purposes. Der Fuehrer's Face won an Academy Award while promoting war bonds through Donald Duck cartoons. Victory Through Air Power became a feature film produced during wartime. Bambi lost $200,000 at box office despite being in production since 1937. Bank of America chairman Amadeo Giannini supported continued lending despite company debts reaching four million dollars by 1944.
Disneyland opened in July 1955 south of the Burbank studio. Construction started that same year with funding from ABC and Western Printing. The park attracted over 20,000 visitors daily within its first month. It featured themed lands including Adventureland Frontierland Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. A narrow gauge Disneyland Railroad linked these areas together. Walt Disney's Disneyland anthology series aired on ABC starting in 1954 earning over 50 percent audience share. Davy Crockett miniseries sold ten million records internationally creating massive merchandising opportunities.
Playwright Robert E. Sherwood described Disney as almost painfully shy and diffident in private settings. He admitted to friends that he smoked and drank unlike his public character Walt Disney. Disney hid his insecure personality behind an outgoing public identity. He gave staff little encouragement due to exceptionally high expectations. Norman recalled when Disney said That'll work it indicated high praise instead of direct approval. Financial bonuses replaced verbal compliments for high-performing employees. His brother Roy deferred retirement after Walt's death to take full control of companies.
Disney died the 15th of December 1966 at age 65 from circulatory collapse caused by lung cancer. He had been a heavy smoker since World War I without using filtered cigarettes. Treatment with cobalt therapy appeared successful before he felt unwell November 30. His remains were cremated two days later interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. The Jungle Book released posthumously raising total feature films involved to 81. Winnie the Pooh won an Academy Award in Short Subject category awarded posthumously. Roy changed EPCOT focus from functional city to permanent world fair attraction opening in 1971.
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Common questions
When and where was Walt Disney born?
Walter Elias Disney was born on the 5th of December 1901 at 1249 Tripp Avenue in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood.
What caused Walt Disney to lose most staff before creating Mickey Mouse?
Charles Mintz threatened to take Oswald the Lucky Rabbit away if Disney refused payment cuts, which led to the loss of most staff except Ub Iwerks who chose to stay.
How much did Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs cost to produce?
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in December 1937 costing $1.5 million to produce.
Why did Bambi lose money at the box office despite being in production since 1937?
Bambi lost $200,000 at the box office due to European war disruptions affecting its release timeline.
Where are Walt Disney's remains interred after his death?
His remains were cremated two days later interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale following his death on the 15th of December 1966.