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57 Years After His Death, We Remember & Celebrate Walt Disney

walt disney death
Credit: Disney

On the 57th anniversary of his passing, we at Disney Fanatic wanted to take a moment to remember and celebrate the man who started it all. It has been almost five decades since the visionary Walt Disney passed away. Seeing as we at Disney Fanatic owe a lot of our existence to this savant’s work, we thought we’d take a moment to celebrate his innovation.

Christmas with Walt Disney

Walt Disney / Credit: Walt Disney Family Museum

Related: Was Walt Disney’s Body Frozen? Here’s the Truth

Walt Disney’s Early Life 

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois. Per Britannica, he was the fourth son of Elias Disney, a peripatetic carpenter, farmer, and building contractor, and Flora Call, a public school teacher.

When Walt Disney was an infant, the family moved from Chicago to Marceline, Missouri—a typical Midwestern small town. Some say that it was this town that inspired the famous Main Street, U.S.A.

As a child, Disney developed an interest in drawing and even took classes to complement this.

At the age of 16 in 1918, Walt Disney attempted to enlist in the military, but he was rejected on account of his age. Instead, Walt Disney joined the Red Cross and went overseas. After the war, he returned to Kansas City, where he began his career as an advertising cartoonist.

Walt and Lillian Disney

Walt and his wife Lillian Disney (neé Bounds) / Credit: D23

Related: Walt Disney’s Housekeeper Died with an Amazing Secret

Walt Disney Starts the Walt Disney Company

As some fans would know, in August 1923, Walt Disney made his way to Los Angeles, California, where his brother Roy. O. Disney was already working. He famously had “nothing but a few drawing materials, $40 in his pocket, and a completed animated and live-action film.” The brothers began their production operation in the backroom of a Hollywood real estate office, which eventually grew into The Walt Disney Company.

1928 saw the birth of Mickey Mouse, however, before the Mouse who started it all could make his debut, sound made its way onto the silver screen, making sound films the current trend. It was thus that Mickey Mouse appeared for the first time in Steamboat Willie, the world’s first fully synchronized sound cartoon, which premiered at the Colony Theatre in New York on November 18, 1928.

Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort / Credit: Disney

After releasing a few films, in 1937, Walt Disney made history with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated musical feature, which premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles.

In 1955, he inaugurated Disneyland, and as they say, the rest is history.

The studio only continued to grow from there and set the stage for The Walt Disney Company to become the enormous entertainment conglomerate it is today.

"Partners" statue, Cinderella Castle, Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort

“Partners” statue in front of Cinderella Castle, Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney

Related: Senior Executive Speaks on Parks: Walt Disney Would be “Pretty Proud”

Walt Disney Passes Away in 1966

Walt Disney was a chronic smoker, and due to this habit, in 1966, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Walt Disney passed away before seeing Christmas of 1966, on December 15, from surgical complications and “circulatory collapse.”

Since his death is a subject that is not often brought up and spoken about, it has become the inspiration for many urban legends over the years.

Walt Disney and Lillian Bounds

Walt Disney and Lillian Bounds marry / Credit: D23

Related: Were Walt Disney’s Last Words Really ‘Kurt Russell’? The Truth is Complicated

Walt Disney represented the absolute ideal of the American dream: he stood for imagination, optimism, and self-made success in the American tradition.

Here’s to celebrating the incredible mind that started a hundred-year-long legacy.

About Priyanka Kumar

Priyanka is a writer, artist, avid reader, and travel enthusiast based in Chicago. In her free time, she is probably walking by the lake, catching up on the latest releases on TV, or spending inordinate amounts of time rewatching Moana, Encanto, and her Disney Channel life-long favorites Zack and Cody wreak havoc on the Tipton.

One comment

  1. A tribute to a wonderful family man, a creative genius, and an imaginative legend! Many thanks and much gratitude to Walt Disney!! Protect his legend and dedication to imagination and family entertainment.

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