Tommy Kirk

Tommy fondly remembers Walt Disney, and recalls once bumping into him at a Beverly Hills hotel. “He was with Hedda Hopper, the legendary columnist. He put his arm around me, and he said, ‘This is my good-luck piece here,’ to Hedda Hopper. I never forgot that. That’s the nicest compliment he ever gave me.”

Paul Frees

It was literally impossible during the 1960s and most of the 1970s to turn on the TV on any given night and not hear the ineluctable Mr. Frees.

Lucille Martin

Walt took special care of his office staff, and Lucille remembered many kindnesses: “I had never flown on a plane, and one day when Walt was going to San Diego with a press group, he closed the office so I could have my first plane ride.”

Art Babbitt

As early as the 1942 publication of the first scholarly study of animation, The Art of Walt Disney by Dr. Robert Feild, Art Babbitt had gained a reputation as “The Greatest Animator Ever.”

Dick Huemer

“He was with animation through all its growing pains. Whatever animation became, he helped to shape it, drawing by drawing, idea by idea.” —Animation great Grim Natwick

Floyd Norman

“I’m sort of a Disney… kind of a troublemaker. A story artist, animator—tried to be an animator. But mainly writer, artist, and a guy who’s trying to learn his craft. Been doing it now for about 40 years and, just beginning to get the hang of it.” —Floyd Norman

Marge Champion

Marge was the live-action reference model for the heroine of Disney’s feature-length cartoon Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, performing dances, scenes, and special movements so the animators could caricature her actions and make their princess as human as possible.

Dave Smith

“My greatest reward has been getting to know the many people who have come to use the Archives over the years. I have been especially proud to be a guide and mentor to so many young people who have gone on to exceptional careers in the Disney organization.” —Dave Smith

Bob Schiffer

“Bob was one of the quiet talents who made Hollywood great. He worked with the legendary stars, who we all know by single names—Astaire, Bogart, Welles, Hepburn, Hayworth, Lancaster, Midler, and Hanks. —Michael Eisner

Carl Bongirno

“Epcot and all of Disney’s attractions will always be in a state of becoming. The challenge to us is enormous, but we are ready to meet it. —Carl Bongirno