Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago Illinois, to his father Elias Disney, and mother Flora Call Disney. Walt was one of five children, four boys and a girl.

After Walt’s birth, the Disney family moved to Marceline Missouri, Walt lived most of his childhood here.

Walt had very early interests in art, he would often sell drawings to neighbors to make extra money. He pursued his art career, by studying art and photography by going to McKinley High School in Chicago.

Walt began to love, and appreciate nature and wildlife, and family and community, which were a large part of agrarian living. Though his father could be quite stern, and often there was little money, Walt was encouraged by his mother, and older brother, Roy to pursue his talents.

During the fall of 1918, Disney attempted to enlist for military service. Rejected because he was under age, only sixteen years old at the time. Instead, Walt joined the Red Cross and was sent overseas to France, where he spent a year driving an ambulance and chauffeuring Red Cross officials. His ambulance was covered from stem to stern, not with stock camouflage, but with Disney cartoons.

Once Walt returned from France, he began to pursue a career in commercial art. He started a small company called Laugh-O-Grams, which eventually fell bankrupt. With his suitcase, and twenty dollars, Walt headed to Hollywood to start anew.

After making a success of his “Alice Comedies,” Walt became a recognized Hollywood figure. On July 13, 1925, Walt married one of his first employees, Lillian Bounds, in Lewiston, Idaho. Later on they would be blessed with two daughters, Diane and Sharon .

In 1932, the production entitled Flowers and Trees(the first color cartoon) won Walt the first of his studio’s Academy Awards. In 1937, he released The Old Mill, the first short subject to utilize the multi-plane camera technique.

On December 21, 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated musical feature, premiered at the Carthay Theater in Los Angeles. The film produced at the unheard cost of $1,499,000 during the depths of the Depression, the film is still considered one of the great feats and imperishable monuments of the motion picture industry. During the next five years, Walt Disney Studios completed other full-length animated classics such as Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi.

Walt Disney’s dream of a clean, and organized amusement park, came true, as Disneyland Park opened in 1955. Walt also became a television pioneer, Disney began television production in 1954, and was among the first to present full-color programming with his Wonderful World of Color in 1961.

Walt Disney is a legend; a folk hero of the 20th century. His worldwide popularity was based upon the ideals which his name represents: imagination, optimism, creation, and self-made success in the American tradition. He brought us closer to the future, while telling us of the past, it is certain, that there will never be such as great a man, as Walt Disney.

Famous quotes

You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.

You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.

We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main… and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life.

People still think of me as a cartoonist, but the only thing I lift a pen or pencil for these days is to sign a contract, a check, or an autograph.

If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.

Laughter is America’s most important export.

Crowded classrooms and half-day sessions are a tragic waste of our greatest national resource – the minds of our children.

All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.

Source: http://www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/biography/w_bio_short.html

delete reply philsgal7759 wrote on Aug 8, ’09 Crowded classrooms and half-day sessions are a tragic waste of our greatest national resource – the minds of our children. Pleaser send copies to every school district in America and whomever thought it more important that lids can pass a test than it is to nurture their imagination.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Aug 8, ’09 I always wished I had someone like Walt Disney in my family. He seemed like such a wonderful person to have in your life.

delete reply caffeinatedjo wrote on Aug 8, ’09 I remember watching Disney when I was a kid.  Whenever the pic came on of the castle announcing that I was about to enter Disney’s magical world, I got so excited and just squirmed with childish delight.  Funy thing…even though I am grown, Disney still makes me squirm with delight!

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Aug 8, ’09 We just got back from Disney World in Florida a couple of days ago. When you’re there, you always get the feeling of re-living your childhood.

delete reply catfishred wrote on Aug 8, ’09 I grew up having to go to Disneyland every year end of school till the whole place began to gag me. Funny how things like this work out. Glad you had a good time. I’m sure it’s grown exciting since my last visit. 🙂 With that said, I loved that little movie where the Disney character girl came to life in NYC. Don’t remember the name of it, but it was cute. Imagine strolling down the street singing with everyone you meet, including critters, joining you. Wow! ;~D

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Aug 8, ’09 It just goes to show that you can be a kid at any age.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Aug 9, ’09 caffeinatedjo said Whenever the pic came on of the castle announcing that I was about to enter Disney’s magical world, I got so excited and just squirmed with childish delight. Funy thing…even though I am grown, Disney still makes me squirm with delight! Me too !