illustrated head of Donald Duck wearing sailor's cap

23 Jobs Donald Duck Has Attempted

In celebration of the 80th anniversary and Labor Day, we are taking a look at Donald Duck’s job history.

In the early days, Donald had an exaggerated waddle because the animators found it difficult, on paper, to distinguish between a duck and a goose—we’re assuming that’s what made him so cranky. But his waddle has never held him back from his ambitions. He’s tried many, many jobs. Somehow, though, nothing ever works out as planned.

Here’s a list of 23 of Donald’s employment endeavors, more of which will be celebrated on tour across the U.S. in this year’s D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration road show, presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection.

Donald Duck as a Scout Leader (Good Scouts, 1938)
Scout Leader (Good Scouts, 1938)
Donald Duck as a Logger (Up a Tree, 1940)
Logger (Up a Tree, 1940)
Donald Duck as a Steam Shovel Operator (Dragon Around, 1954)
Steam Shovel Operator (Dragon Around, 1954)
Donald Duck as a Dancer (Hawaiian Holiday, 1937)
Dancer (Hawaiian Holiday, 1937)
Donald Duck as Santa Claus (Toy Tinkers, 1949)
Santa Claus (Toy Tinkers, 1949)
Donald Duck as a Musician (Trombone Trouble, 1944)
Musician (Trombone Trouble, 1944)
Donald Duck as a Melopoioi (Donald in Mathmagicland, 1961)
A Melopoioi (Donald in Mathmagicland, 1961)
Donald Duck as a Fire Chief (Fire Chief, 1941)
Fire Chief (Fire Chief, 1941)
Donald Duck as a Camper (Grin and Bear It, 1954)
Camper (Grin and Bear It, 1954)
Donald Duck as a Hotel Bellboy (Bellboy Donald, 1942)
Hotel Bellboy (Bellboy Donald, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Birdfeeder (The Trial of Donald Duck, 1948)
Birdfeeder (The Trial of Donald Duck, 1948)
Donald Duck as a Menagerist (Fantasia 2000, 1942)
Menagerist (Fantasia 2000, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Babysitter (Donald's Happy Birthday, 1949)
Babysitter (Donald’s Happy Birthday, 1949)
Donald Duck as a Soldier (Donald's Diary, 1954)
Soldier (Donald’s Diary, 1954)
Donald Duck as a Photographer (Grand Canyonscope, 1942)
Photographer (Grand Canyonscope, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Hobbyist (Test Pilot Donald, 1951)
Hobbyist (Test Pilot Donald, 1951)
Donald Duck as a Baseball Player (Slide, Donald, Slide, 1949)
Baseball Player (Slide, Donald, Slide, 1949)
Donald Duck as a Paranormal Investigator (Lonesome Ghosts, 1937)
Paranormal Investigator (Lonesome Ghosts, 1937)
Donald Duck as a Paratrooper (Sky Trooper, 1942)
Paratrooper (Sky Trooper, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Boxer (Canvas Back Duck, 1953)
Boxer (Canvas Back Duck, 1953)
Donald Duck as a Explorer (Frank Duck Brings Em' Back Alive, 1942)
Explorer (Frank Duck Brings Em’ Back Alive, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Clock Cleaner (Clock Cleaners, 1937)
Clock Cleaner (Clock Cleaners, 1937)
Donald Duck as a Sailor (Chips Ahoy, 1942)
Sailor (Chips Ahoy, 1942)

Be sure to check out D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration, rolling into a town near you this fall for more tidbits about this year’s Disney anniversaries. D23 and the Walt Disney Archives have uncovered rarely seen video, photos, and stories for this year’s road show. It’s going to be a blast from the past.