The world of entertainment was forever changed by the legendary Walt Disney, the creator of beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and the founder of Disneyland.
Walt Disney passed away on December 15, 1966, in Los Angeles, California, only days after his 65th birthday. Born on December 5, 1901, Walt began his journey as an artist at a young age, selling his sketches around the neighborhood. It wasn’t until 1920 that Walt landed a job as an advertising cartoonist, which eventually led him to create his own animated cartoons.
Moving to Hollywood, Walt ventured into the film industry and created the iconic Steamboat Willie in 1928, introducing the world to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. He later launched the Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1937, producing his first fully animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Disneyland Park opened in Anaheim, California on July 17, 1955, with Walt Disney himself stating on the opening day, “To all who come to this happy place: welcome.”
Even after his passing, Walt Disney’s legacy lived on with the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, and Epcot in 1982. As of 2024, there are a total of 12 Disney theme parks across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Walt Disney passed away from a circulatory collapse caused by lung cancer. Diagnosed on November 2, 1966, Walt underwent cobalt therapy and surgery to remove a portion of his left lung, but sadly succumbed to the disease on December 15, his birthday.
Survived by his wife, Lillian, daughter Diane, and adopted daughter Sharon, Walt Disney’s family continued his legacy. Lillian remarried from 1969 to 1981 and passed away in 1997, while Diane became a philanthropist, carrying on her father’s work. Sharon, Walt and Lillian’s adopted daughter, went on to become an actress and sadly passed away in 1993.
