20 things you never knew about Walt Disney

Joanna Fantozzi,Frank OlitoOct 2, 2021, 01:05 IST

Walt Disney: One of the most legendary Americans of all time.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Walt Disney is known for his movies and parks, but there are some things you might not know about the man himself.
He holds the record for the most Academy Awards wins by a single person ever.
He also created propaganda for the United States government during World War II.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was Disney's first cartoon, not Mickey Mouse.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. LMPC/Getty Images

Mickey Mouse was originally called Mortimer Mouse until Walt's wife, Lillian, convinced him to change it.

Mickey Mouse wasn't his original name. Henry Guttmann/Stringer/Getty Images

Walt Disney did not actually design the final version of Mickey Mouse.

Walt Disney and Mickey. AP Photo

But he did voice the iconic character for two decades.

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

Walt Disney once played Peter Pan in a school play.

A production of Peter Pan. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/Getty Images

Disney was a high school dropout, though.

Walt Disney was a high school dropout. Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty Images

Walt Disney's first animation studio went bankrupt in less than a year.

Disney's first studio was a failure. Bettmann/Getty Images

Disney was laughed at for wanting to create a feature-length animated film.

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Walt Disney Studios

The tables were soon turned - Walt Disney still holds the record for most Academy Award wins ever.

Walt Disney's eight Oscar statuettes. David McNew/GettyImages

Disney's success allowed him to buy a house for his parents, but he was guilt-ridden when his mother later died of carbon monoxide poisoning in that house.

Walt Disney's mother and father. Apic/Getty Images

Disney worked for the United States government during World War II to create propaganda cartoons.

"The Spirit of '43" cartoon starring Donald Duck. Walt Disney Studios

He was also an outspoken opponent of communism during the Cold War's Red Scare.

Walt Disney answers questions during a meeting of the House Un-American Activities Committee. AP

Walt Disney received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Disney won many accolades. Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images

At one time, Disney was the only person who was allowed to make a cartoon in full Technicolor.

The title card for a Donald Duck cartoon in technicolor. Walt Disney Studios.

Walt Disney thought of the idea of Disneyland while sitting on a park bench watching his daughters ride a merry-go-round.

The merry-go-round at Griffith Park. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Walt Disney bought the land that would become Disney World under several fake names to keep his identity secret.

Disney World. John Raoux/AP

He based the design of Main Street, USA, off the main street in his hometown in Missouri.

A view of Main Street, USA. Charles Sykes/AP

Walt Disney had a secret apartment above the firehouse on Main Street.

Main Street, USA. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Disney invented audio-animatronics, and the first was on display at the 1964 World's Fair.

Disney's Hall of Presidents. Google Street View

Walt Disney's housekeeper died a multimillionaire thanks to the stocks he gave her every year.

Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins in the 1964 film. Walt Disney Studios

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