Who was Walt Disney, how many films did he make, when did he die and was his body cryogenically frozen?
The iconic filmmaker was the genius behind many of our favourite movies - but what else do we know about him?
FOR most of us the name Walt Disney is synonymous with the childhood joy of watching one of his famous animated films.
But who exactly was the American entrepreneur and cultural icon? We’ve got all the details for you here…
Who was Walt Disney?
Born in 1901, Walt Disney had a passion for drawing and took a job aged 18 as a commercial illustrator.
In the early 20s he felt the bright lights of Hollywood calling his name and moved from his home town of Chicago to Los Angeles where he set up Disney Brothers Studio with his brother Roy.
Walt Disney was married in 1925 to ink artist Lillian Bounds, who he had hired earlier that year, the pair had two daughters Diane and Sharon.
In 1928 Walt created Mickey Mouse, which he gave his voice to until 1947, this would become his first big success.
As the studio grew, Walt became increasingly adventurous and introduced synchronised sound and feature-length cartoons to his repertoire.
In 1937 he produced his first big feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which was closely followed by Fantasia and Pinocchio in 1940.
During the war he produced instruction films for the military.
After the war he created hugely successful films such as Cinderella and Mary Poppins, which won five Oscars.
Walt is the most decorated film producer to date.
He earned 22 Academy Awards from 59 nominations as well as two Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards and an Emmy.
But he wasn’t content with just cinematic success and in the 50s he expanded into the theme park industry opening Disneyland in 1955.
He started construction of Disney World, a second theme park, in 1965.
It was supposed to be in the heart of a new type of city, the “experimental prototype community of tomorrow” but unfortunately he died before its completion.
When did Walt Disney die?
Walt was a big smoker, taking up the habit in World War I.
After the conflict he continued to smoke heavily up until his death.
But in 1966, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and despite having a lung removed, it wasn't enough to save him and he died of lung cancer in December 1966
Disney died aged 65 and sadly passed away before the park or city of his “experimental prototype community of tomorrow” was finished.
Was he really cryogenically frozen?
For decades there have been rumours that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen, after his death.
The myth is believed to have been started in 1972 when Bob Nelson told the Los Angeles Times that "Walt Disney wanted to be frozen."
However, according to MentalFloss, the tale is not true and Walt Disney was apparently cremated on December 17, 1966.
And to help dispel the myth, Disney's daughter Diane Disney Miller opened the Walt Disney Family Museum in 2009.
How many films did Walt Disney make?
During his years as a filmmaker, Walt Disney acted, produced, and directed hundreds of films and shorts, in total he finished almost 1,000 projects.
However, most people will remember him for the major Disney classics he created, such as:
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 1937
- Pinocchio 1940
- Fantasia 1940
- Dumbo 1941
- Bambi 1942
- Saludos Amigos 1942
- The Three Cabelaros 1944
- Melody Time 1948
- The Adventures of Icahbod and Mr Toad 1949
- Cinderella 1950
- Alice In Wonderland 1951
- Peter Pan 1953
- Lady and the Tramp 1955
- Sleeping Beauty 1959
- 101 Dalamations 1961
- The Sword in the Stone 1963
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- Mary Poppins 1964
- That Darn Cat! 1965
- The Jungle Book (before his death) 1967