Walt Disney
Jessica DiCamillo
Personal
Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago Illinois, December 5th 1901
In his childhood Disney lived mostly in Marceline, Missouri, he began painting and selling pictures to neighbors and family friends. He had a love for trains and later worked a summer job at a railroad selling snacks and newspapers to travelers.
Educational Background
Walt Disney took drawing and photography classes at McKinley High School in Chicago. He was a contributing cartoonist for the school paper. At night he took courses at the Chicago Art Institute. When Disney was 16 he dropped out of school to join the army but could not join because he was underage. He instead joined the red cross.
Walt Disney & Family
Walt Disney reading Pinocchio to his daughters Sharon Disney (left) and Diane Disney (right)
Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney with his the character he created, Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney World
Photograph of the Cinderella Castle, and the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue out in front at present day Walt Disney World
Work Background
- After joining the Red Cross, was sent to France for a year to drive an ambulance.
- When he returned from France in 1919, he moved back to kansas to pursue a career as a newspaper artist.
- His brother got him a job at an art studio
- He from there worked at a Kansas City Film Ad Company where he made commercials, working here and experimenting with a camera is what made him decide to make his own animation business.
Company History
- In 1922 he formed Laugh-O-Gram Films. He was joined by Ub Iwerks, and a staff including Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, to produce theatrical and sponsored films.
- They did a series of seven minute fairy tales called Alice in Cartoonland
- In 1923 Disney was forced to declare bankruptcy due to debt.
- Following, Disney and his brother Roy relocated to Hollywood after pooling their money.
- With the help of Iwerks, they formed the Disney Brother's Studio.
Company Today
More recently, Disney has been regarded as a paradigm of American imperialism and intolerance, as well as a debaser of culture. Disney remains the central figure in the history of animation. Through technological innovations and alliances with governments and corporations, he transformed a minor studio in a marginal form of communication into a multinational leisure industry giant. Despite what others had to say, his vision of a modern, corporate utopia as an extension of traditional American values has possibly gained greater currency in the years after his death
Mini BIO - Walt Disney
Why This Person Was Successful
I believe Walt Disney was successful not only because he brought, and still continues to bring, joy to people even after his passing. Most people believe in order to be successful you need to go to college and be so smart book wise but Disney didn't need that. He worked hard and through the ups and downs became, in what I believe, one of the most successful men in the world.
Facts
- Disney hired an ink-and-paint artist named Lillian bounds, who he later married.
- He was known for being an innovative animator and creating the cartoon Character Mickey Mouse
- He won 22 Academy Awards during his lifetime.
- During the construction of a Disney theme park in Florida, Walt was diagnosed with lung cancer.
- He died December 15th 1966, at the age of 65, and his brother Roy carried on the production of Walt Disney World.
Works Cited
- "Walt Disney Bibliography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
- Langer, Mark. "American National Biography Online: Disney, Walt."American National Biography Online: Disney, Walt. N.p., 2000. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.