Disney, Walter Elias

Disney, Walter Elias (1901-66), American film producer.

Walt Disney became famous in 1928 with a short film cartoon about Mickey Mouse. After that, he introduced a wide range of popular cartoon characters including Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, and, in 1937, he produced the first full-length cartoon movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Later he made many notable true-life nature films and adventure films for children. His work won him several Oscars from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

He also created a wonderful theme park called Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which has now been franchised in cities through then world.

Essential reading: Neal Gabler Walt Disney