By Amy Jorgensen
The creator of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and many more is Walt Disney. He also established the Walt Disney Corporation and created movies enjoyed by multiple generations of children and parents.
Walt Disney the Animator
Disney launched Mickey Mouse's career with the silent short, Plane Crazy, in 1928. The more famous Steamboat Willie short followed. Mickey and Disney animation grew in popularity in the 1930's.
Animated Cartoons
Mickey Mouse received his own color series in the 1930's followed by several other famous characters: Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. Of the three, Donald Duck became the most popular.
More Animated Movies
The first full length animated cartoon produced by Walt Disney was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). This was followed by Pinocchio (1940), Bambi (1942), and Cinderella (1950). New animated Disney movies, such The Little Mermaid (1989) and Toy Story (1995), followed the success of the first films.
Disney Theme Parks
Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California in 1955 followed by The Magic Kingdom in 1971 in Orlando, Florida (the park was the foundation for Disney World). Since then, Disney theme parks have also been built in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
His Death
Disney died from lung cancer in December 1966 before he could see construction start on Disney World. Although many people believe he wanted his remains to be frozen cryogenically, his body was actually cremated.
About the Author:
Amy Jorgensen is a freelance writer and college instructor from Indiana. In addition to freelancing, she has also taught writing, public speaking, business communication and customer service courses at two different colleges. Jorgensen holds a Bachelor of Science in English and a Master of Liberal Studies degree.
