A chance encounter with Walt Disney in a shop in London led to a stellar career at the Walt Disney Studios for artist Harper Goff. Best known for designing the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Harper also developed many concept pieces for Disneyland, especially Main Street, U.S.A. and the Jungle Cruise. He was …
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John Lounsbery, who was born on this day in 1911, first joined Walt’s studio in 1935 as a member of the Studio’s first training group and worked as an animator on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A member of Walt’s Nine Old Men group, Lounsbery worked on most of the classic features as an …
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Hey there, hi there, ho there! Today’s “This Day in Disney” is all about Disney Legend Jimmie Dodd (because we like him, and because he was born on this day in 1910). To learn more about the man who brought his kind wisdom and gentle entertainment into our living rooms in the 1950s (and in …
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On this day in 1908, Hollywood legend Fred MacMurray was born in Kankakee, Illinois. As a saxophone-playing musician, Fred first came to Hollywood in the 1920s, which led to a career that spanned more than 50 years and 50 films, including Double Indemnity and The Apartment. Fans of 1960s television best remember Fred as Steven …
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Joe Grant, a writer, artist, character designer, and head of the fabled Disney Model Department, who joined the Company in 1933 and was still working four days a week at the Disney Studio when he passed away in 2005, was born in New York City on this day in 1908. One of the Company’s great …
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On this day in 1905, Disney Legend Eric Larson was born in Cleveland, Utah. Although he had originally come to Los Angeles in 1933 to become a writer, at the suggestion of a friend, Eric submitted some of his sketches to Disney and was hired as an assistant animator. He went on to animate on …
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Born in Cedartown, Georgia, Disney Legend Sterling Holloway was a bear of very little brain, a snake with hypnotic powers, and a cat who could disappear leaving his smile behind, among the many other Disney characters he voiced. Having appeared on stage by age 5, appearing in silent movies and moving in to sound film …
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After the birth of four sons, Ruth Flora Disney was born to parents Elias and Flora Disney, just two years after brother Walt was born. Kaye Malins got to know her well after Ruth made a trip back to Marceline, Walt’s hometown. Kaye told us, “We talked frequently and she was just this amazing, gracious …
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On this day in 1901, Walter Elias Disney was born to Elias and Flora Disney, in Chicago, Illinois. Walt was the fourth of five children. He had three brothers and one sister, Herbert Arthur, Raymond Arnold, and Roy Oliver. Sister Ruth Flora was not born until 1903. When Walt was born, the average annual income …
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On this day in 1901, Carl Barks born, not in Duckburg, U.S.A., but in Merrill, Oregon. In 1935, after applying for a job at Disney, Carl fit the “bill” and was hired as an artist. Things were just ducky for Carl and in just a few months he moved to the story department, collaborating on …
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