Just about everyone on the face of the planet is aware of who Walt Disney is. After all, Disneyland and Mickey Mouse along with everything else relating to these world-famous theme parks have popped up in every corner of the earth. However, there was much more to Walt Disney than just Disneyland and Mickey. We will give you an overview of the man himself and some of his accomplishments during his lifetime.
Early Life
First of all, he was born as Walter Elias Disney in Chicago on December 5, 1901. When Walt was just 5 the family moved to Missouri. He showed an affinity for drawing early on. Later they headed to Kansas City. By that time Walt’s father Elias was too ill to tend to the farm they were previously living on. Together with his brother Roy, the young Walt helped their father out on his newspaper route. When he was 16, the family moved back to Chicago again, where the youngster attended high school. He became the cartoonist of the wallpaper there, which was his first painting job. The same year Walt dropped out of high school.
He made a failed attempt at military service, being denied because he was too young. Instead, Walt joined the Red Cross where he spent a year. Upon returning he worked in Kansas City as a cartoonist but quickly became disillusioned with it.
It wasn’t until 1923 that he moved to Hollywood with his brother Roy to take the first steps toward building his animation studio. With the assistance of an uncle who provided them with a garage from which to work they formed Disney Brothers Studios which is known today as the Walt Disney Company. That garage became the first official office of the company.
In 1928 he created the character Mickey Mouse. Now, it could be safe to say that the rest is history, but there is much more than that. His first cartoon with the adorable mouse was a silent one. However, Hollywood was quickly turning to talk films and Walt seized on the moment. Disney shrewdly acquired exclusive rights to use the revolutionary Technicolor for a period of two years. This was all he needed to be on his way to fame and fortune.
During the span of his career, Walt Disney would win an astonishing 26 Oscars. A record that without a doubt will never be broken. By then he had added Goofy, Donald Duck, and a whole slew of other characters to his lineup. His full-length animated film Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs was the first to be made in Technicolor.
Disney’s firm was one of the few to come out of the tumultuous 1930s and 1940s and thrive in the process. This was in large part due to the company cranking out propaganda, health, and educational films for the United States government. Not only that but the comedies they turned out also helped to boost morale nationwide at a time when the country really needed it.
As with any business, there were small setbacks here and there, but for the most part, Disney’s company flourished, culminating with his development of the theme park known worldwide…Disneyland. Walt died before Disneyworld, Epcot Center and all the others came to fruition but by then he had laid all the groundwork necessary.
Walt Disney was named by Time Magazine as one of the most important people of the 20th century and one can certainly say it was well-deserved.
Walt Disney was one of the iconic figures of the 20th century. His name is synonymous with some of the most beloved animated characters and movie franchises of all time, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Disney princesses. But beyond animation, Disney was a true visionary who left an indelible mark on the film industry and popular culture as a whole.
Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is one of the most beloved and successful titans of the entertainment industry. Since its formation in 1923, it’s provided audiences with an array of films, television shows, and an unparalleled array of entertainment experiences. It is one of the biggest businesses not only in the USA but in the entire world. Its revenue for the year 2011 was more than 40 billion US dollars, which resulted in a net profit of 4.8 billion for this same year. The company is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise operating in five business segments: consumer products, studio entertainment, media networks, parks and resorts, and interactive media.
What makes the company a timeless entertainment giant is its commitment to excellence and creativity. Over the years it has earned countless awards for its creative content including 27 Academy Awards for Best Picture or Best Short Film or Animation since 1932. It’s also been home to some legendary filmmakers such as John Lasseter who won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Films at Disney’s Pixar studios.
The Walt Disney Company has a legacy that extends far beyond its magical films and characters to its pioneering spirit that continues to inspire generations of young fans all over the world. Today this legacy lives on through its diversified content offerings ranging from music labels to cable networks. As long as there are people who still believe in dreams, The Walt Disney Company will continue to bring us joyous entertainment year after year
