We are Praying for President Donald J. Trump and for
President Joseph Biden and for
their Families at this time...
We are also Praying for the other victims of
this horrible tragedy...
GOD HAS BLESSED OUR COUNTRY
ON THIS DAY! AND WE ARE
MOST GRATEFUL...
Brothers Charles Elias Disney and
Daniel Harwood Disney
Celebrating
Disney's 100 Years
The Walt Disney Company
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Charles Elias Disney
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Raymond Arnold Disney & Meredith A. Disney are the late
Parents of Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney
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Daniel Harwood Disney
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Disney Family Coat-of-Arms
Raymond Arnold Disney was the husband of Meredith A. Disney and the
father of Charles Elias Disney and step-father of Daniel Harwood Disney
and he was one of the older brothers of Walt Disney
Our site is lovingly dedicated to the memory of our
Uncles Walt Disney and Roy Oliver Disney and
Herbert Arthur Disney and
Aunt Ruth Flora Disney Beecher and
All of the other members of our Disney Family
This site is the collaborative opus with brothers
Charles Elias Disney and Daniel H. Disney with
reflective musings by the late Raymond Arnold Disney
and the late Meredith A. Disney
WELCOME to our Home Page and following pages...
This website was originally created 1995-1998 inclusive and with periodic updates.
Patrick Tighe is the primary Disney biographer for this site from Newport Beach, California.
© 1995-1998-2019-2020-2022-2023
Walt Disney Family Tree Design
Originally Created By Matt Baker
Useful Charts.com
This must be a time for heartfelt reflection and prayer!
So many tragedies, and now, more than ever, we must come together as a people, and to sincerely care for one another, locally, nationally, and worldwide!
"We each share our common bond of our humanity.
God help us all if we fail to reach out and help one another!"
---Walt Disney
WALT DISNEY was a man of prayer! He believed in God and that everything good came from God and that we each share our common bond of our individual humanity...
In Loving Memory of
Ronald William Miller
April 17, 1933 + February 9, 2019
"Ron was a longtime wonderful and sincere friend,
And we will always miss him!"
He was President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 1980 to 1984 and was President of the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Ron Miller was the beloved son-in-law of
Walt Disney.
"Ron and Diane were two of the most loving and caring individuals we have ever known!"
Ronald William Miller & Diane Disney Miller
Disney's Photorealistic Production
The Walt Disney Company
World Premiere July 18, 2019
Disney's El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
Attended by brothers Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney
Daniel Harwood Disney attending the World Premiere of "THE LION KING" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
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Disney's El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Californiia
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Charles Elias Disney
attending the
World Premiere of "THE LION KING" at the El Capitan Theatre in
Hollywood, California
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Mufasa and his son Simba "The Lion King"
Bob Iger: "Wise & Thoughtful CEO of
The Walt Disney Company,
And, also a Wonderful Friend for many years!"
Bob Iger is the CEO of The Walt Disney Company shown here with his dear friend Mickey Mouse
Bob Iger: "Consider buying Walt Disney Stock, Now!"
"Bob Iger really thinks like a consumer and he acts like the great executive he is!
Bob will continue to revive The Walt Disney Company because he is the most imaginative and creative person in Hollywood! His return to Disney is the best thing that could have happened to 'The Mouse House!' He really, really, loves being the head of Disney and in the coming times he will continue to make Disney the greatest entertainment company on Earth!
I really do pray for Bob Iger to continue as the head of The Walt Disney Company. Why? Because Bob is the exact right man to head this Company and he is exactly what is required to take this wonderful Company into the future! I want him to lead this Company beyond what he has agreed to do, and I do believe Uncles Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney would most certainly affirm his leadership!
Thank you Bob Iger for your devotion to The Walt Disney Company, yesterday, today and into the future."
Charles Elias Disney
The above commentary clearly states why Walt Disney Company stock is such a great investment
Mark G. Parker, Extraordinary Chairman of
The Walt Disney Company
Mark G. Parker is the Chairman of The Walt Disney Company
Brothers Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney,
Sons of Raymond Arnold Disney, & Meredith A. Disney &
Nephews of brothers Walt Disney & Roy O. Disney on
The Disney Legends Plaza at The Walt Disney Company
Brothers Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney on the Disney Legends Plaza at The Walt Disney Company. The plaid jacket worn by Charles Elias Disney was one of Walt Disney's favorite jackets and was given to Charles Elias by his cousin Diane Disney Miller who is Walt Disney's daughter!
Mickey Mouse always stands for our flag
Walt Disney very often would state:
"Remember, It all started with a Dream and a Mouse..."
"Remember, It all started with a Dream and a Mouse..."
Laugh-O-grams Studio:
"A very humble beginning in Kansas City, Missouri..."
Original Laugh-O-grams logo in Kansas City, Missouri
Original Laugh-O-grams Studio Office in Kansas City, Missouri. Note posters on the wall!
Walt Disney's Laugh-O-grams Studio at 31st & Forest Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri (1922)
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Walt Disney drawing at Laugh-O-grams Studio in Kansas City, Missouri (1921)
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The Alice Comedies are a series of animated cartoons created by Walt Disney in the 1920s, in Kansas City, Missouri in which a live action little girl named Alice (Virginia Davis) and an animated cat named Julius have adventures in an animated landscape
Walt Disney's legacy
deserves commemoration...
By Dan Viets
Special to The Kansas City Star, Sunday, June 5, 2022
Dan Viets is President of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Thank You Walt Disney, Inc. at
thankyouwaltdisney.org
Walt Disney's original studio was in Kansas City, Missouri and is presently being restored
Walt Disney's nephews:
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney
shown in front of his original
Laugh-O-grams Studio in Kansas City, Missouri
in the McConaughey Building at 1127 East 31st Street
Just east of Troost Avenue at 31st & Forest Avenue
Charles Elias Disney, Walt Disney's nephew
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Daniel H. Disney, Walt Disney's nephew
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This is the actual building in Kansas City, Missouri where Walt Disney established his first business enterprise known as Laugh-O-grams Studio. Uncle Walt's studio lasted from 1921-1923.
The studio played a role in the earliest years of animation: it was home to many of the pioneers of animation, brought there by Walt Disney, and is said to be the place to have provided Disney and Ub Iwerks with the inspiration to create Mickey Mouse. Laugh-O-grams was the subject of two feature films: As Dreamers Do and Walt Before Mickey.
In 1921, Walt Disney was contracted by Milton Feld to animate twelve cartoons, which he called Newman's Laugh-O-grams. On May 23, 1922, when Walt was just 20 years old, Laugh-O-gram Films was incorporated by Disney using the remaining assets of the defunct Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists from local investors. LOGF produced nine of the requested 12 films with little income. But encouraged by his shorts' popularity at the theatre, and inspired by Terrytoons' Aesop's Fables, Walt decided he wanted to make his own animated versions of fairytales too, and invested six months on his first attempt at Little Red Riding Hood.
Among Disney's employees on the series were several pioneers of animation: Ub Iwerks, Hugh Harman, Friz Freleng, and Carman Maxwell. The company had problems making ends meet: by the end of 1922, Disney was living in the office and taking baths once a week at Union Station.
During the studio's sales manager Leslie Mace's stay in New York, where he was looking for distributors, he ended up signing a contract for six animated shorts with Pictorial Clubs, Inc. of Tennessee on Sunday, September 16, 1922. Pictorial agreed to pay $11,000 for the cartoons, which were supposed to be shown at schools and other non-theatrical places, but only paid $100 in advance. The rest of the payment would have to wait till January 1, 1924, when all the shorts had been delivered. When Pictorial went bankrupt only a few months later, the studio never received the rest of the payment and its financial problems became even more serious, and the staff ended up leaving. But when the local Kansas City dentist Thomas B. McCrum, from the Deener Dental Institute, contacted Disney and offered him the job of producing a short subject about dental hygiene intended for the Missouri school system, he brought together some of his staff again and made Tommy Tucker's Tooth, which earned the studio $500. Instead of paying off his creditors, the money was invested in the live-action/animation demonstration film Alice's Wonderland, starring the youthful Virginia Davis. Walt had noted how popular the Out of the Inkwell series from the Fleischer Studios was, which had animated characters interacting with the real world. By reversing this gimmick and using a real-life character in a cartoon universe instead, he hoped for a hit. Virginia Davis's contract with Laugh-O-gram was signed by her parents on April 23, 1923, with term giving her 5% of the Alice's Wonderland film's receipts. Looking for a distributor for Alice's Wonderland on May 14, Disney wrote to Margaret Winkler, a New York film distributor.
After finishing the raw edits of Alice's Wonderland, the studio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 1923. Disney made some final money by shooting a film of a 6-month-old girl named Kathalee Viley and selling his movie camera, earning enough money for a one-way train ticket, moving to Hollywood, California; he brought along an unfinished reel of Alice's Wonderland.
The bankruptcy trustee was able to force LOGF's erstwhile distributor and debtor, Pictorial Films, Inc., to pay LOGF's agents the sum owed while agreeing that Pictorial could exercise its contractual distribution rights for LOGF works and to purchase several of LOGF's films: The Four Musicians of Bremen, Jack the Giant Killer, the Lafflets series, and Alice's Wonderland.
Renaissance of Walt's Original Studio in Kansas City, Missouri
The studio building fell to ruin and efforts were made to restore it by a non-profit group called "Thank You, Walt Disney." The Disney family promised $450,000 in matching funds for the renaissance, other Disney memorabilia and to tell the history of Walt Disney's life in Kansas City, a movie house (to exhibit original and restored Laugh-O-grams), and an education center (to tell people and children about animation and to make their own animations) inside the building.
While there has really been a sincere attempt to fully restore Walt Disney's original studio in Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of the "Thank You, Walt Disney" group, to be certain, the building has had some major rebuilding efforts to the structure, there is presently no continuing effort toward this proposed restoration. Hopefully, this restoration effort will realize some new life, and be able to move forward with the original plans to restore this historic building!
Inspiration for Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney told interviewers later that he was inspired to draw Mickey by a tame mouse he had named Mortimer that he fed each day at his desk at his Laugh-O-gram Studio in Kansas City, Missouri.
“They used to fight for little pieces of cheese in my waste-basket when I worked alone late at night. I lifted them out and kept them in wire cages on my desk. I grew particularly fond of one brown house mouse. He was a timid little guy. By tapping him on the nose with my pencil, I trained him to run inside a black circle I drew on my drawing board. When I left Kansas City to try my luck at Hollywood, I hated to leave him behind. So I carefully carried him to a backyard, making sure it was a nice neighborhood, and the tame little fellow scampered to freedom. ”In 1928 during a train trip to New York he showed the drawing to his wife Lillian Marie Bounds and said he was going to call it "Mortimer Mouse." She replied that the name sounded "too sissified" and suggested "Mickey Mouse" instead. And so, as they say: "the rest is history!"
Of the original seven Laugh-O-grams fairy tales, four were long known to have survived, and have been restored for DVD: Little Red Riding Hood (1922), The Four Musicians of Bremen (1922), Puss in Boots (1922), and Cinderella (1922). These shorts later became available on Blu-ray Disc as bonus features for Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Tommy Tucker's Tooth (1922), and Alice's Wonderland (1923) are also available on DVD, and Alice's Wonderland eventually became a bonus feature for the 60th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition of Alice in Wonder.land. The original piece of filming/animation known as Newman Laugh-O-grams (originally released theatrically on March 20, 1921)
In 1921, Walt Disney was contracted by Milton Feld to animate twelve cartoons, which he called Newman's Laugh-O-grams. On May 23, 1922, when Walt was just 20 years old, Laugh-O-gram Films was incorporated by Disney using the remaining assets of the defunct Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists from local investors. LOGF produced nine of the requested 12 films with little income. But encouraged by his shorts' popularity at the theatre, and inspired by Terrytoons' Aesop's Fables, Walt decided he wanted to make his own animated versions of fairytales too, and invested six months on his first attempt at Little Red Riding Hood.
Among Disney's employees on the series were several pioneers of animation: Ub Iwerks, Hugh Harman, Friz Freleng, and Carman Maxwell. The company had problems making ends meet: by the end of 1922, Disney was living in the office and taking baths once a week at Union Station.
During the studio's sales manager Leslie Mace's stay in New York, where he was looking for distributors, he ended up signing a contract for six animated shorts with Pictorial Clubs, Inc. of Tennessee on Sunday, September 16, 1922. Pictorial agreed to pay $11,000 for the cartoons, which were supposed to be shown at schools and other non-theatrical places, but only paid $100 in advance. The rest of the payment would have to wait till January 1, 1924, when all the shorts had been delivered. When Pictorial went bankrupt only a few months later, the studio never received the rest of the payment and its financial problems became even more serious, and the staff ended up leaving. But when the local Kansas City dentist Thomas B. McCrum, from the Deener Dental Institute, contacted Disney and offered him the job of producing a short subject about dental hygiene intended for the Missouri school system, he brought together some of his staff again and made Tommy Tucker's Tooth, which earned the studio $500. Instead of paying off his creditors, the money was invested in the live-action/animation demonstration film Alice's Wonderland, starring the youthful Virginia Davis. Walt had noted how popular the Out of the Inkwell series from the Fleischer Studios was, which had animated characters interacting with the real world. By reversing this gimmick and using a real-life character in a cartoon universe instead, he hoped for a hit. Virginia Davis's contract with Laugh-O-gram was signed by her parents on April 23, 1923, with term giving her 5% of the Alice's Wonderland film's receipts. Looking for a distributor for Alice's Wonderland on May 14, Disney wrote to Margaret Winkler, a New York film distributor.
After finishing the raw edits of Alice's Wonderland, the studio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 1923. Disney made some final money by shooting a film of a 6-month-old girl named Kathalee Viley and selling his movie camera, earning enough money for a one-way train ticket, moving to Hollywood, California; he brought along an unfinished reel of Alice's Wonderland.
The bankruptcy trustee was able to force LOGF's erstwhile distributor and debtor, Pictorial Films, Inc., to pay LOGF's agents the sum owed while agreeing that Pictorial could exercise its contractual distribution rights for LOGF works and to purchase several of LOGF's films: The Four Musicians of Bremen, Jack the Giant Killer, the Lafflets series, and Alice's Wonderland.
Renaissance of Walt's Original Studio in Kansas City, Missouri
The studio building fell to ruin and efforts were made to restore it by a non-profit group called "Thank You, Walt Disney." The Disney family promised $450,000 in matching funds for the renaissance, other Disney memorabilia and to tell the history of Walt Disney's life in Kansas City, a movie house (to exhibit original and restored Laugh-O-grams), and an education center (to tell people and children about animation and to make their own animations) inside the building.
While there has really been a sincere attempt to fully restore Walt Disney's original studio in Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of the "Thank You, Walt Disney" group, to be certain, the building has had some major rebuilding efforts to the structure, there is presently no continuing effort toward this proposed restoration. Hopefully, this restoration effort will realize some new life, and be able to move forward with the original plans to restore this historic building!
Inspiration for Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney told interviewers later that he was inspired to draw Mickey by a tame mouse he had named Mortimer that he fed each day at his desk at his Laugh-O-gram Studio in Kansas City, Missouri.
“They used to fight for little pieces of cheese in my waste-basket when I worked alone late at night. I lifted them out and kept them in wire cages on my desk. I grew particularly fond of one brown house mouse. He was a timid little guy. By tapping him on the nose with my pencil, I trained him to run inside a black circle I drew on my drawing board. When I left Kansas City to try my luck at Hollywood, I hated to leave him behind. So I carefully carried him to a backyard, making sure it was a nice neighborhood, and the tame little fellow scampered to freedom. ”In 1928 during a train trip to New York he showed the drawing to his wife Lillian Marie Bounds and said he was going to call it "Mortimer Mouse." She replied that the name sounded "too sissified" and suggested "Mickey Mouse" instead. And so, as they say: "the rest is history!"
Of the original seven Laugh-O-grams fairy tales, four were long known to have survived, and have been restored for DVD: Little Red Riding Hood (1922), The Four Musicians of Bremen (1922), Puss in Boots (1922), and Cinderella (1922). These shorts later became available on Blu-ray Disc as bonus features for Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Tommy Tucker's Tooth (1922), and Alice's Wonderland (1923) are also available on DVD, and Alice's Wonderland eventually became a bonus feature for the 60th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition of Alice in Wonder.land. The original piece of filming/animation known as Newman Laugh-O-grams (originally released theatrically on March 20, 1921)
The Disney Family & Kansas City
Visiting Historical Locations in Kansas City, Missouri
"The Disney's have always loved Kansas City!"
Charles Elias Disney, Roberta Long, Daniel H. Disney in front of the early Disney residence in Kansas City, Missouri. This is Roberta's home for many years
Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney in front of the First National Bank where Raymond Arnold Disney & Roy Oliver Disney were bank tellers in Kansas City, Missouri
Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney standing exactly where the entrance to Electric Park was located at 46th & The Paseo Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri
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Len Chmelka in front of the early Disney residence in Kansas City, Missouri
Brothers Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney & Roberta Long in Kansas City, Missouri
Garage behind the Disney residence where Walt Disney created his first animated figures in Kansas City, Missouri
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Brothers Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney in front of Walt Disney's original Laugh-O-gram Studio in Kansas City, Missouri
Brothers Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney in front of the Benton Elementary School where Walt Disney and his younger sister Ruth Disney attended grammar school in Kansas City, Missouri
Charles Elias Disney & Len Chmelka in front of the original Walt Disney Laugh-O-grams Studio in Kansas City, Missouri
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The Church in Kansas City, Missouri where the
Disney Family worshiped...and found great inspiration!
Westminster Congregational Church
36th & Walnut Streets
"Uncle Walt believed this Church resembled a "Castle!"
Westminster Congregational Church in Kansas City, Missouri
Interior Of Church
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Church on the Corner of 36th Street & Walnut Streets
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Charles Elias Disney at Westminster Congregational Church
www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249953054.html
Uncle Walt Disney was a newspaper delivery boy for
The Kansas City Times & The Kansas City Star
Walt Disney shown above on the right middle
with other "newsboys" as they were called
Walt Disney was a delivery boy for The Kansas City Times (mornings) and The Kansas City Star (evenings) newspapers. His brother Roy O. Disney also delivered the newspapers with Walt twice each day to nearly 700 households! Their father who was Elias Charles Disney owned the paper routes and he insisted that his boys would deliver each paper inside the front storm door at each home.
Walt would often speak of those days as a youth when he would start the delivery route with brother Roy at three o'clock in the morning each day, seven days a week, and then again repeat the route in the afternoon after school. Walt would say how tired he was in school and very often he would doze off in class. He would often be so tired that he would stop in the snow and fall asleep and Roy would awaken him so their paper route could be completed!
One of his teachers at Benton Elementary School once sent a note home to Walt's parents indicating: "Your son Walt Disney will likely never amount to anything!"
Walt would often speak of those days as a youth when he would start the delivery route with brother Roy at three o'clock in the morning each day, seven days a week, and then again repeat the route in the afternoon after school. Walt would say how tired he was in school and very often he would doze off in class. He would often be so tired that he would stop in the snow and fall asleep and Roy would awaken him so their paper route could be completed!
One of his teachers at Benton Elementary School once sent a note home to Walt's parents indicating: "Your son Walt Disney will likely never amount to anything!"
Walt Disney worked at Kansas City Film Ad Service
where he first learned about animation and later formed his
Laugh-O-grams Studio
Walt Disney was an artist at Kansas City Film Ad Service
located on Holmes Street in Kansas City, Missouri. Walt is sitting in the front on the right side stoop in this picture
Walt would daily, and with much tender care, feed a tiny mouse in Kansas City that was in his original office he called
Laugh-O-grams Studio! Mickey Mouse
Was actually a real mouse Walt had first named "Mortimer!"
Mickey Mouse! Some of the earliest drawings of a mouse that was almost named "Mortimer Mouse!"
Mickey Mouse
Evolves beginning on October 28, 1928...
Mickey Mouse
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Minnie Mouse
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One of Uncle Walt's Most Favorite Happy Images of Mickey Mouse, as an Engineer!
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Mickey Mouse Today!
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Mickey Mouse keeps walking along, always forward! HE ALWAYS MAKES FAMILIES HAPPY!
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The Sorcerer's Apprentice from Walt Disney's FANTASIA in 1940
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Mickey Mouse in Walt Disney's FANTASIA in 1940
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Uncle Walt Disney drawing Mickey Mouse
The entirety of this site is lovingly dedicated
To the life and times of our
Uncle Walter Elias Disney
Reflections by brothers Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney
From Newport Beach, California
"Walter Elias Disney, An American Original!"
Sunday, December 1, 1901 + Thursday, December 15, 1966
Walter Elias Disney 1901-1966
Roberto Bizama artist
So,
"Walt Disney was completely authentic and genuine, and a gentle real-life loving man who, more than anything in the world, loved his family and his friends! His parents were Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney. His siblings were brothers Herbert Arthur Disney, Raymond Arnold Disney, Roy Oliver Disney and one sister Ruth Flora Disney.
His wife was Lillian "Lilly" Marie Bounds Disney and his daughters were Diane Marie Disney and Sharon Mae Disney.
Uncle Walt was an American original who came from the most humble of beginnings. Throughout his life he never moved far from his deeply held Midwestern family roots and he often referred to his childhood memories and experiences, especially in Marceline and Kansas City! He was born in Chicago and some of his early formative years were spent on the family farm in Marceline, Missouri. His years in Marceline had some of the greatest influences on his life as this is where he learned to really love animals and everything relating to nature. He really loved trains as the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad ran through Marceline. His earliest drawings were done on the side of a small barn and his first money he earned was drawing a horse named "Rupert" for neighbor "Doc" Sherwood, a physician, who lived nearby. He would often spend time under a huge tree near his home he called his "The Dreaming Tree!"
It was in Kansas City, Missouri where Walt and his older brother Roy delivered The Kansas City Star and The Kansas City Times newspapers as teenagers, and where Walt and another older brother who was Raymond Arnold Disney and his younger sister Ruth Disney spent many summer Saturdays at Electric Park, an enchanting family amusement park located at 46th and The Paseo Boulevard, directly south of the Disney residence on Bellefontaine Avenue. Walt really loved the beautiful flower gardens and manicured grounds, and he especially loved to enjoy watching families having a good time in a beautiful garden-like environment. Walt's thoughts and remembrances about his personal experiences about Electric Park were often conveyed to his nephew Charles Elias Disney many years later, and when Walt was actually making his plans to create and build what would become his iconic Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California!
These very personal experiences at Electric Park actually planted the early seeds in his heart for what would, many years later, become his original iconic Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. Kansas City is where he continued to develop his creative artistic instincts, where he attended some summer art classes at the Kansas City Art Institute and where he opened his first studios known as Kaycee Studios and his Laugh-O-gram Studio where he actually had a pet mouse he fed and he lovingly called "Mortimer." Walt walked daily from the family home west across 31st Street to his original studio located at 31st and Forest Avenue, one block east of Troost Avenue, where the Isis Movie Theatre was located and that would later play an important early part in his career! When Walt Disney was creating his Laugh-O-gram Studio, two of his older brothers Roy and Raymond were employed as bank tellers in the First National Bank in downtown Kansas City. It was in Kansas City where he first met Ub Iwerks who became his close lifetime friend, colleague, and business associate.
This friend, with whom he collaborated with across so many years, and actually where the original visual concept of Mickey Mouse was born via his pet mouse Walt had named "Mortimer!" Iwerks produced alongside Walt Disney and later won numerous awards, including multiple Academy Awards. Ub's full name, Ubbe Ert Iwwerks, can be seen on early Alice Comedies that he signed. Several years later he simplified his name to "Ub Iwerks," sometimes written as "U. B. Iwerks." He is the father of Disney Legend Don Iwerks and grandfather of documentary film producer Leslie Iwerks.
It was in Hollywood, California where brothers Walt and Roy Oliver Disney established the original Disney Bros. Cartoon Studio. Throughout their lives, Walt was always the creative artist/genius, and brother Roy organized the financing always needed by the brothers, to enable Walt, so he could continue to dream and fulfill his definite lifelong dreams! Walt invited many of his friends he worked with from Kansas City and they came to California and worked in his earliest studio.
And it was in Burbank, California where Walt worked very diligently along with his brother Roy and so many favored collaborators to fulfill his dreams of creating consistently the greatest entertainment for families in his own lifetime! Walt's imagination was beyond what anyone else had ever envisioned, let alone imagined, and he always wanted his work to be created on the highest quality level because he always respected the public, and in turn, the public shared his dreams and his vision by supporting his many beautiful and even inspiring accomplishments for so many generations! Further details of Walt's iconic life and insights into other pertinent lives of both family and friends are emphasized within this site.
There is so much more to say about Walt Disney. He was an innovator, and most importantly, he was able to see the vast potential in people! And he envisioned new film processes, and among so many other things, starting with synchronized sound, to coloring films, hence using Technicolor, to the multi-plane camera, to television and theme parks. And today, worldwide, there are six Disney Resorts or theme parks: Disneyland Resort in California, including California Adventure, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Disneyland Paris in France, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in China, and in 2016, a second resort in China known as Shanghai Disney Resort. And, among others, Disney venues include: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Regional Entertainment, Disney Sports Enterprises, The Disney Channel, Disney on Broadway. And literally an amazing multiple of other enterprises, mostly associated with the giant and vast international Disney Entertainment Empire! Today, originating from The Walt Disney Company headquarters in Burbank, California and headed by an extraordinary and brilliant Bob Iger, CEO and Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company.
And each new cast member, (Walt always lovingly referred to "employees" as "Cast Members" because he believed we were all members of a large cast creating entertainment for families) and heart-felt training was so important to Walt and his company, and remains so to this day. When discussing the caliber of people who would be employed by our Company, Walt Disney himself stated:
"They will be people who give, who like to bring delight to other people, and therefore gain pleasure and satisfaction for themselves."
Disneyland Park founded by Walt Disney in 1955, and each new cast member at a Disney theme park is trained at a Disney University. Before classes and on-the-job training specific to the job they will be performing in each park, each cast member attends the "Disney Traditions" course where they learn of the philosophies and history of Disney's Guest Services! His many firsts helped permanently revolutionize the entertainment industry. At virtually every step, people often called his projects a “folly” or “unattainable,” but Walt would always surprise them. Today, countless business enterprises actually pattern their own relationships with their own personnel and clients after the very high standards Walt Disney envisioned and established for his own company!
The Walt Disney Company thrives today with millions of people visiting the six theme parks, and millions of children still enjoying the films their parents and grandparents loved, from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" released on February 4, 1938 to "Bambi" released in 1942 to "Mary Poppins" released in 1964 and to today's very greatly anticipated "The Lion King" released on July 19, 2019 in the Walt Disney El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. This is truly a most unique experieance, a "photorealistic computer-animated" remake of Disney's traditionally animated 1994 film of the same name!
Today, The Walt Disney Company worldwide, employs well over 200,000 Cast Members.
They say: "It all started with a mouse," but, it really all started with a real live man: a dreamer, and a modernizer, named Walt Disney. Walt never forfeited his common touch and he always believed that he, along with his growing number of close creative collaborators, would create the finest animated and true-life stories and family parks and resorts and other forms of entertainment for families worldwide! His dreams were endless and continue to be realized to this day!
Uncle Walt Disney's story is never-ending and insightful reflections will always be added to this site coming mostly from close family and friends. And perhaps even some ongoing and updated business facts or statistics!
Enjoy...!"
Some Personal Disney Reflections/Quotes...
"When we opened Disneyland in Anaheim, a lot of people got the impressions that it was a get-rich-quick thing, but they didn't realize that behind Disneyland was this great organization that I built here at the Studio, and they all got into it and we were doing it because we loved to do it. It has that thing--the imagination, and the feeling of happy excitement--I knew when I was a kid in Marceline and Kansas City."
Walt Disney
"Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life. They're people who don't give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought---sometimes it isn't much, either."
Walt Disney
“In these days of world tensions, when the faith of men is being tested as never before, I am personally thankful that my parents taught me at a very early age to have a strong personal belief and reliance in the power of prayer for Divine Inspiration.”
Walt Disney
"Whatever success I have had in bringing clean, informative entertainment to people of all ages, I attribute in great part to my Congregational Christian Church upbringing and my lifelong habit of prayer. To me, today, at age sixty-one, all prayer, by the humble or highly placed, has one thing in common: supplication for strength and inspiration to carry on the best human impulses which should bind us together for a better world."
Walt Disney
"When I think about my uncle Walt Disney, the one word that always comes to my mind is "Joy" because he spent most of his life creating experiences for others that brought so much joy into their lives. Even the many cast members find joy in their own experiences working for the numerous Disney enterprises! The happiest places on earth are also some of the most joyful places on earth!"
Daniel H. Disney, Nephew
Walt Disney with his nephew Charles Elias Disney
in 1965 in the WED Enterprises offices
To Uncle Walt Disney I say: "A heartfelt thank you! Your faith and visions and dreams and your love for everyone all continue to this day! And I am most grateful for the years and the many wonderful experiences I was blessed to have personally shared with you and Aunt Lilly and cousins Diane Marie and Sharon. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. You were then, and in the years gone by, and will always be, now and forever to me, my beloved Uncle Walt. And I really do, from deep inside my heart and Soul, miss you and your loving family!"
Charles Elias Disney, Nephew
Charles Elias Disney, Nephew
Cecil B. DeMille was a lifetime close friend to Walt Disney And to Charles Elias Disney, as well!
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille was a lifetime close friend to members of the Disney family. Walt Disney and Cecil B. DeMille shared many of the same values and exceptionally strong work ethics. Both men were true pioneers in the film industry and both men regularly went to great lengths in the production of their films. It can honestly be said that both men were true living "legends" in their own times; both were true visionaries! And both took extreme risks in their respective studios: Walt Disney in his Disney Bros. Studios and Cecil B. DeMille in his Paramount Pictures Studios. Often, DeMille is legitimately referred to as "The father of Hollywood!"
Quite honestly, American film making likely would never have evolved and made such great advances without these two icons! Both men were always inventing new film-making techniques--many still employed by studios to this day! Both advanced from black and white films to the most advanced color and sound techniques ever invisioned!
While these two iconic filmmakers never produced a film together, both men shared such a mutual respect for the other. And both men were really close friends, both shared the same political and social beliefs and both had the great advantage of having their respective families and friends being so supportive throughout their respective illustrious long careers!
Walt Disney's young nephew Charles Elias Disney, also became a close friend and admirer both to DeMille and his daughter Cecilia DeMille Harper. Charles Elias also visited the set in Egypt when DeMille was filming his historic 1956 "The Ten Commandments" and Charles occasionally enjoyed visiting DeMille in his home at 2010 DeMille Drive in the Los Angeles Los Feliz's Laughlin Park neighborhood. DeMille would screen some of his film classics and he enjoyed showing Charles certain props from his classic films and discussing the history of filmmaking!
Friends do always make a difference!
Quite honestly, American film making likely would never have evolved and made such great advances without these two icons! Both men were always inventing new film-making techniques--many still employed by studios to this day! Both advanced from black and white films to the most advanced color and sound techniques ever invisioned!
While these two iconic filmmakers never produced a film together, both men shared such a mutual respect for the other. And both men were really close friends, both shared the same political and social beliefs and both had the great advantage of having their respective families and friends being so supportive throughout their respective illustrious long careers!
Walt Disney's young nephew Charles Elias Disney, also became a close friend and admirer both to DeMille and his daughter Cecilia DeMille Harper. Charles Elias also visited the set in Egypt when DeMille was filming his historic 1956 "The Ten Commandments" and Charles occasionally enjoyed visiting DeMille in his home at 2010 DeMille Drive in the Los Angeles Los Feliz's Laughlin Park neighborhood. DeMille would screen some of his film classics and he enjoyed showing Charles certain props from his classic films and discussing the history of filmmaking!
Friends do always make a difference!
A wee bit of Disney trivia:
"One of Uncle Walt Disney's favorite restaurants in Los Angeles...
The Tam O'Shanter Inn: Really and frankly, his most favorite!
To this day, The Tom O'Shanter Inn still has Walt's booth in place..."
The Tam O'Shanter Inn in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles
where we often enjoyed meals with our Uncle Walt Disney & his family
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Uncle Walt Disney with the longtime owner of "The Tam O'Shanter"
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Our Uncle Walt Disney: "ALWAYS had the last laugh..."
Brothers Walt Disney & Roy Oliver Disney
Established
The Walt Disney Company
Roy Oliver Disney
Roy Oliver Disney was, with his younger brother Walt Disney, co-founder of what is today known as The Walt Disney Company.
Roy was born to Elias Charles Disney and the former Flora Call in Chicago, Illinois on June 24, 1893. Roy then lived with his parents and siblings in Marceline, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri where he was a bank teller along with his older brother Raymond Arnold Disney. He met Edna Francis in Kansas City and married her in April 1925, and from this marriage, he was the father of the late Roy Edward Disney, who was born on January 10, 1930 in Los Angeles. In later years Roy Edward Disney was vice-chairman of the vast Walt Disney Company!
While Walt was the creative genius, Roy was the one who made sure the company was financially stable. After Walt passed away, Roy made sure that Disney World would be completed and Roy renamed it Walt Disney World in order to make sure no one forgets his brother Walt. After Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, Roy O. Disney finally retired. He passed away two months later on December 20, 1971 at age 78.
A bronze statue of Roy O. Disney, seated on a park bench beside Minnie Mouse, is located in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Roy was born to Elias Charles Disney and the former Flora Call in Chicago, Illinois on June 24, 1893. Roy then lived with his parents and siblings in Marceline, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri where he was a bank teller along with his older brother Raymond Arnold Disney. He met Edna Francis in Kansas City and married her in April 1925, and from this marriage, he was the father of the late Roy Edward Disney, who was born on January 10, 1930 in Los Angeles. In later years Roy Edward Disney was vice-chairman of the vast Walt Disney Company!
While Walt was the creative genius, Roy was the one who made sure the company was financially stable. After Walt passed away, Roy made sure that Disney World would be completed and Roy renamed it Walt Disney World in order to make sure no one forgets his brother Walt. After Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, Roy O. Disney finally retired. He passed away two months later on December 20, 1971 at age 78.
A bronze statue of Roy O. Disney, seated on a park bench beside Minnie Mouse, is located in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Some personal pictures of Walt & Roy O. Disney enjoying one another's company, with their spouses Lillian & Edna Disney
Edna and Roy and Walt and Lillian Disney enjoying an evening at The Brown Derby in Hollywood, California
 Roy O. Disney & Walt Disney
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Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse & Roy O. Disney
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Bronze Statue of Roy Oliver Disney & Minnie Mouse in Walt Disney World
Roy Oliver Disney's Tribute to his beloved brother
Walt Disney and
Walt Disney World...
Beautiful Tribute to Walter Elias Disney by his brother who was Roy Oliver Disney
Walter Elias Disney "Uncle Walt"
Walter Elias Disney or "Uncle Walt" as he loved to be called, never strayed from his early family roots! He was close to his family and even though he made many, many friends throughout his life-time, he was content to spend time with his family and to always dream of his next project. He met the "love of his life" Lillian Bounds, when she was an "inker" in his Disney Studio. He demanded the very best from his associates because he always worked to achieve his very best in everything he attempted! Walt Disney was very generous and so kindhearted and he was happy when he was able to help others, especially others who were less fortunate. He was always wanting to know who needed his help and he gave generously to many charities throughout his lifetime! He never forgot his early years as a boy in Marceline and Kansas City, Missouri. He would reminisce about his youth and he readily would recall the lessons both of his parents and siblings taught him.
Walt Disney is likely one of the most famous individuals in world history! His lasting influence has been shown in the context of historical American and world culture! The picture represented above is one of our most favorite images of Uncle Walt! One of a kind, yes, indeed, he was one of a kind!
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney, nephews,
Sons of Raymond Arnold Disney, Walt's older brother
Walt Disney is likely one of the most famous individuals in world history! His lasting influence has been shown in the context of historical American and world culture! The picture represented above is one of our most favorite images of Uncle Walt! One of a kind, yes, indeed, he was one of a kind!
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney, nephews,
Sons of Raymond Arnold Disney, Walt's older brother
Lillian Marie Disney "Aunt Lilly"
Lillian Marie Bounds Disney came to work at the Disney Bros. Studios as an "inker and paint artist" on film cells when the studio was in its infancy! On one rainy evening, when Walt Disney asked to give her a ride home from work, she accepted, and well, the rest is history as this was truly "love at first sight for Walt!" Lillian or "Lilly" as Walt loved to call her became a lifelong partner to Walt. Their first daughter was Diane Marie Disney (Miller) and their second daughter was Sharon Mae Disney (Lund and Brown). Walt often would say: "Without Lilly, I could never have succeeded and find meaningful joy in my work! Lilly made me so happy and we shared our love with family and friends and all of the "cast members" associated with the Disney Studios, later Walt Disney Productions and today known as The Walt Disney Company.
Lillian Disney in 1951
Walt often would say: "Without Lilly, I could never have tapped into my inner heart and deepest feelings I was able to apply to my work. As a result, I succeeded in my work and have found so much joy in my life! Lilly made me so happy and we shared our love with family and friends and all of the "cast members" associated with the Disney Studios, later Walt Disney Productions and today know as The Walt Disney Company. Lillian was quite elegant and actually a very classy lady and she instilled these same values in her daughters! Lillian was so generous and sometimes she would bring Diane and Sharon to enjoy lunch with Walt and Roy. Whenever the Disney's would take time for a vacation, Lillian always made the times together so special and fun. She made Walt and their girls the center of her life and after Walt passed away, it was Lilly who inspired Diane and Sharon and their families to always remember Walt Disney as the loving and caring man that he was and that he would always be remembered by so many countless people who were also inspired by the life and good works of Walt Disney!
"Lillian 'Lilly' Disney was always so loving and kind to both of us. Our mother, who was Meredith A. Disney, was a close longtime friend and a sister-in-law to aunt Lilly and uncle Walt. And we miss all of them and remember their very positive impacts on each of our lives!"
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney, nephews
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney, nephews
Kepple Elias Disney and Elias Charles Disney Family Tree
Christmas was always a very special time for Walt Disney and his family...
Uncle Walt Disney began the Christmas Candlelight Procession in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California on December 20, 1958! Christmas Carols are sung, the retelling of the Christmas Story, and the evenings are filled with such wonder! This annual ceremony has continued every year since. And in Walt Disney World Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida it has also become an annual favorite tradition!
The 2021 Disneyland Park & Resort Christmas Candlelight Ceremony! This beautiful and inspiring Disneyland holiday tradition takes place this year in the Town Square and features a full Orchestra, Christmas Tree Chorus performing renditions of traditional Christmas songs, and a retelling of the Christmas Story by a celebrity narrator, Saturday, December 4th and Sunday, December 5th, 2021. Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda will be the guest host this year!
And many other Holiday surprises throughout the Season!
Christmas at the Disneyland Resort
November 8, 2021 - January 6, 2022
And many other Holiday surprises throughout the Season!
Christmas at the Disneyland Resort
November 8, 2021 - January 6, 2022
The 2019 Walt Disney World Epcot Christmas Candlelight Processional! A holiday must-do for many Epcot guests, is a retelling of the traditional Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a massed choir and live holiday orchestra. Music to be enjoyed by so many guests!
Here’s the 2021 Candlelight Processional at Epcot narrator schedule:
Candlelight Processional 2021
November 26 - December 30, 2021 Performances take place each evening at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.
Here’s the 2021 Candlelight Processional at Epcot narrator schedule:
- Auli’i Cravalho – November 26 through November 28
- Chita Rivera – November 29 through December 1
- Jodi Benson – December 2 through December 4
- Alton Fitzgerald White – December 5 through December 7
- Bart Millard – December 8 through December 10
- Lisa Ling – December 11 through December 13
- Andy Garcia – December 14 through December 16
- Ana Gasteyer – December 17 through December 19
- Courtney B. Vance – December 20 through December 22
- Steven Curtis Chapman – December 23 through December 25
- Blair Underwood – December 26 through December 28
- Pat Sajak – December 29 through December 30
Candlelight Processional 2021
November 26 - December 30, 2021 Performances take place each evening at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.
The ANNUAL Disney Christmas Candlelight Ceremonies Always Inspired Everyone!
The above information on this site relating to the annual Christmas programs has not been updated!
"Best Friends"
Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse statues can be found at the entrance of every Disney Park & Resort...welcoming each and every guest near the front entrances...
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Walt Disney is Mickey Mouse
&
Mickey Mouse is Walt Disney
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at the Walt Disney Studios in 1928. An anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves, Mickey has become one of the world's most recognizable characters.
Mickey first appeared in a test screening short (Plane Crazy). Mickey officially debuted in the short film Steamboat Willie (1928), one of the first sound cartoons. He went on to appear in over 130 films, including The Band Concert (1935), Brave Little Taylor (1938), and Fantasia (1940). Mickey appeared primarily in short films, but also occasionally in feature-length films. Ten of Mickey's cartoons were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, one of which, Lena a Paw, won the award in 1942. In 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beginning in 1930, Mickey has also been featured extensively as a comic strip character. His self-titled newspaper strip, drawn primarily by Floyd Gottfredson, ran for 45 years. Mickey has also appeared in comic books such as Disney Italy's Topolino, MM Mickey Mouse Mystery Magazine, Topolini and Wizards of Mickey, and in television series such as The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1996) and others. He also appears in other media such as video games as well as merchandising and is a meetable character at the Disney parks.
Mickey generally appears alongside his girlfriend Minnie Mouse, his pet dog Pluto, his friends Donald Duck and Goofy, and his nemesis Pete, among others (see Mickey Mouse Universe). Though originally characterized as a mischievous antihero, Mickey was rebranded over time as an everyman, usually seen as a flawed, but adventurous hero. In 2009, Disney began to rebrand the character again by putting less emphasis on his pleasant, cheerful side and reintroducing the more mischievous and adventurous sides of his personality, beginning with the video game Epic Mickey.
"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a dream and a mouse."
— Walt Disney, while Disneyland in Anaheim was being constructed, October 27, 1954
Mickey first appeared in a test screening short (Plane Crazy). Mickey officially debuted in the short film Steamboat Willie (1928), one of the first sound cartoons. He went on to appear in over 130 films, including The Band Concert (1935), Brave Little Taylor (1938), and Fantasia (1940). Mickey appeared primarily in short films, but also occasionally in feature-length films. Ten of Mickey's cartoons were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, one of which, Lena a Paw, won the award in 1942. In 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beginning in 1930, Mickey has also been featured extensively as a comic strip character. His self-titled newspaper strip, drawn primarily by Floyd Gottfredson, ran for 45 years. Mickey has also appeared in comic books such as Disney Italy's Topolino, MM Mickey Mouse Mystery Magazine, Topolini and Wizards of Mickey, and in television series such as The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1996) and others. He also appears in other media such as video games as well as merchandising and is a meetable character at the Disney parks.
Mickey generally appears alongside his girlfriend Minnie Mouse, his pet dog Pluto, his friends Donald Duck and Goofy, and his nemesis Pete, among others (see Mickey Mouse Universe). Though originally characterized as a mischievous antihero, Mickey was rebranded over time as an everyman, usually seen as a flawed, but adventurous hero. In 2009, Disney began to rebrand the character again by putting less emphasis on his pleasant, cheerful side and reintroducing the more mischievous and adventurous sides of his personality, beginning with the video game Epic Mickey.
"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a dream and a mouse."
— Walt Disney, while Disneyland in Anaheim was being constructed, October 27, 1954
Walt Disney drawing his Mickey Mouse for "Steamboat Willie" in 1928
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Mickey Mouse drawing his Walt Disney
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Walt Disney with his friends: Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck sitting on his shoulders
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Walt Disney was always so happy about his family lineage and his linkage to Ireland...
American & Irish Flags
Walt Disney was always so happy and proud of his American and Irish family lineage! His grandparents were Kepple Elias Disney and Mary Richardson Disney and they both imigrated from Ireland. Their son was Elias Charles Disney, who was the father of Walter Elias (Walt) Disney and Herbert Arthur Disney and Raymond Arnold Disney and Roy Oliver Disney and Ruth Flora Disney Beecher. Their mother was Flora Call Disney. Walt Disney would often speak of his family Irish lineage and he enjoyed spending time there with Lillian, Diane and Sharon and other family. Walt often wore his Claddagh (Celtic) ring!
Coolmain Castle in County Cork Ireland
Coolmain Castle is located in Coolmain in County Cork in Ireland. The ancient castle was purchased by Roy Edward Disney in the early 1990's and the Disney family has often stayed in this castle--one of the largest in Ireland! The castle was completely remodeled and fitted with the latest and updated electrical and plumbing systems and huge exterior updates including new roofing and window and door and other replacements were completed.
Coolmain Castle was originally built by the de Courcey family in the early 15th century. It is located on the Irish Coast about 15 kilometers south of Bandon. Over the years it passed through the hands of a number of families, including that of the Earls of Cork. The late Roy Edward Disney a nephew of Walt Disney, bought it about 25 years ago from Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, who had carried out extensive refurbishments to the property. There are four "formal bedrooms" in the main part of the house. The master bedroom has a small sitting area and a king size bed with a view of the bay. There are many "cozy" areas in this castle!
The "Gold Room" is a generous sized suite with a view of the gardens and a king size bed. The "Tower Room" is situated inside the castle tower. It is smaller than the rest, but very cozy and intimate. It has a queen size bed. The "Daphne Room" is a twin suite with a view of the bay. In the "Children's wing" there are three bathrooms and five bedrooms. Two bedrooms have queen sized beds, one has twin beds, one has bunk beds and the last has a single sleigh bed. Because there is often overflow we put three bunk beds in the tennis house, which is about 50 yards away from the front door, so it sleeps six and has a bathroom. Public rooms include a very large eat-in kitchen set up to feed as many as 24, a family room with comfortable seating for tv watching, a beautiful formal dining room, living room, and music room which includes a 'secret stairway" up to the top of the tower.
Information relating to Coolmain Castle provided by Abigail E. Disney, the beloved daughter of Roy Edward and Patricia Disney.
Coolmain Castle was originally built by the de Courcey family in the early 15th century. It is located on the Irish Coast about 15 kilometers south of Bandon. Over the years it passed through the hands of a number of families, including that of the Earls of Cork. The late Roy Edward Disney a nephew of Walt Disney, bought it about 25 years ago from Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, who had carried out extensive refurbishments to the property. There are four "formal bedrooms" in the main part of the house. The master bedroom has a small sitting area and a king size bed with a view of the bay. There are many "cozy" areas in this castle!
The "Gold Room" is a generous sized suite with a view of the gardens and a king size bed. The "Tower Room" is situated inside the castle tower. It is smaller than the rest, but very cozy and intimate. It has a queen size bed. The "Daphne Room" is a twin suite with a view of the bay. In the "Children's wing" there are three bathrooms and five bedrooms. Two bedrooms have queen sized beds, one has twin beds, one has bunk beds and the last has a single sleigh bed. Because there is often overflow we put three bunk beds in the tennis house, which is about 50 yards away from the front door, so it sleeps six and has a bathroom. Public rooms include a very large eat-in kitchen set up to feed as many as 24, a family room with comfortable seating for tv watching, a beautiful formal dining room, living room, and music room which includes a 'secret stairway" up to the top of the tower.
Information relating to Coolmain Castle provided by Abigail E. Disney, the beloved daughter of Roy Edward and Patricia Disney.
Veteran's Memorial Wall in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas
Disney Family names engraved on the Veteran's Memorial Wall in
Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas
Walter Elias Disney (ARC)
Roy Oliver Disney (N)
Raymond Arnold Disney (A)
Herbert Arthur Disney (A)
(ARC) U. S. Army-Red Cross (N) U. S. Navy (A) U. S. Army
Historic: A Church beloved by Disney Family is coming down...
In Kansas City, Missouri
By ANNA SPOERRE
Tribune News Service March 28, 2021
Westminster Congregational Church in Kansas City, Missouri and Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland in Anaheim, California
where Walt Disney is just inside the center arch on the Castle!
Walt Disney used to stand at the corner of East 36th and Walnut Streets and admire how the Westminster Congregational Church looked particularly like a castle. “Uncle Walt was always taken by architecture,” said his nephew, Charles Elias Disney. “And when he would talk about architecture in later years, he talked about that church.”
Charles Elias, the oldest surviving Disney, stood near that same spot Tuesday evening. His brother, Daniel H. Disney, was beside him as they craned their necks and pointed to different sections of the crumbling limestone facade.
Built in 1904, the Westminster Congregational Church at 3600 Walnut Street served its congregation for more than 100 years as countless worshipers, including the Disney family, attended services inside the church, a centerpiece in Kansas City’s Hanover Place neighborhood, in Hyde Park.
Charles Elias Disney recalled with a chuckle that while Walt, who moved to Kansas City with his family in 1910 at the age 9, liked to sit in the balcony, Walt’s parents, Elias Charles and Flora Mae Disney, liked to sit as close to the front as they could, to make sure they didn’t miss anything. As a child, Charles Elias Disney would sit in the sanctuary and search for the peak of the 65-foot ceiling as natural light streamed through the golden stained-glass windows. It made him think of heaven. But when Disney, now 80, gazed in the same direction Tuesday evening, all that remained was sky.
The structure was deemed a “dangerous building” by the city’s Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department on Feb. 19 and an “emergency order to demolish” was issued. Six days later, Kansas City’s City Planning and Development Department's historic preservation office put a hold on any demolition pending a structural assessment of the site to determine what could be saved, if anything.
When he heard of the building’s potential demise, Charles Elias Disney pleaded in a letter to the editor published in The Star, that the building, which is on the national and Kansas City list of registered historical places, be saved and restored.
But despite the appeals of Disney, the Historic Kansas City Foundation and others, the Gothic Revival building began coming down, stone by stone, last week.
“We spent a tremendous amount of money trying to undo what 110 years had done, and we took on that risk, thinking that we could see it through,” said Sam Unruh, who purchased the building several years ago. Restoring it, he said, would have incurred “astronomical” costs that would have been an impossible lift for his small business, a custom furniture company. Stabilizing and waterproofing the roof and walls could cost upwards of half a million dollars alone.
Unruh, founder of Unruh Furniture, purchased the then-abandoned 36,000-square-foot building for $350,000. In September 2016, after nine months of renovations, Unruh Furniture unveiled its new space inside the old church.
Last summer, Unruh and his colleagues noticed a crack in a primary truss holding up the tall ceiling. After several months and $100,000 spent out of pocket trying to repair the truss, the ceiling eventually gave way. The city deemed it a “catastrophic collapse which endangered the health and safety of the public,” according to a statement from Beth Breitenstein, a spokeswoman for Kansas City’s City Planning and Development Department. “We are saddened to see the loss of this significant Kansas City landmark,” Breitenstein wrote. “City staff will review existing ordinances and determine opportunities for revisions that will better protect such important community assets. We will also reach out to our partners in the Historic Preservation Commission and historic preservation community to identify best practices.”
Unruh said despite outcries to save the building over the past few weeks, no one seemed to have the money to help restore it. Brad Wolf, a city historic preservation officer, previously told The Star that dilemmas like this are common as buildings grow older, and risk falling into disrepair.
On Tuesday, Wolf said if the Historic Preservation Commission could review historic sites prior to emergency demolition orders, they may be able to discuss possible funding options and solutions with the property owner before it reaches the point of no return. “We know that not everything is going to be saved,” Wolf added. “It’s an ongoing process.”
Unruh drives past the building every day or two. His wife is still too sad to come with. They bought a house in Midtown the same year they bought the church. In the time since, they’ve collected countless memories inside the grand structure, including trips to the bell tower with their four young children. He remembers the thousands of hours he and his employees put into cleaning the brick and stone as they attempted to restore the old church.
”It was a labor of love for quite a few years that has now come to a close,” said Unruh, who found a new workshop out of a warehouse in Harrisonville, MO. He’s still looking for a space in the metro to lease as a showroom.
The Disney brothers have made frequent stops by the lot over the past week, watching as the church, a cornerstone in the neighborhood, and a cornerstone in their lives, turned to ruins.
“I think he was probably as a young lad as awed with it as I was,” Charles Elias Disney said of his uncle, Walt. “There was something about it that spoke to your heart.”
He blew the old exposed church a kiss as he turned away.
Charles Elias, the oldest surviving Disney, stood near that same spot Tuesday evening. His brother, Daniel H. Disney, was beside him as they craned their necks and pointed to different sections of the crumbling limestone facade.
Built in 1904, the Westminster Congregational Church at 3600 Walnut Street served its congregation for more than 100 years as countless worshipers, including the Disney family, attended services inside the church, a centerpiece in Kansas City’s Hanover Place neighborhood, in Hyde Park.
Charles Elias Disney recalled with a chuckle that while Walt, who moved to Kansas City with his family in 1910 at the age 9, liked to sit in the balcony, Walt’s parents, Elias Charles and Flora Mae Disney, liked to sit as close to the front as they could, to make sure they didn’t miss anything. As a child, Charles Elias Disney would sit in the sanctuary and search for the peak of the 65-foot ceiling as natural light streamed through the golden stained-glass windows. It made him think of heaven. But when Disney, now 80, gazed in the same direction Tuesday evening, all that remained was sky.
The structure was deemed a “dangerous building” by the city’s Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department on Feb. 19 and an “emergency order to demolish” was issued. Six days later, Kansas City’s City Planning and Development Department's historic preservation office put a hold on any demolition pending a structural assessment of the site to determine what could be saved, if anything.
When he heard of the building’s potential demise, Charles Elias Disney pleaded in a letter to the editor published in The Star, that the building, which is on the national and Kansas City list of registered historical places, be saved and restored.
But despite the appeals of Disney, the Historic Kansas City Foundation and others, the Gothic Revival building began coming down, stone by stone, last week.
“We spent a tremendous amount of money trying to undo what 110 years had done, and we took on that risk, thinking that we could see it through,” said Sam Unruh, who purchased the building several years ago. Restoring it, he said, would have incurred “astronomical” costs that would have been an impossible lift for his small business, a custom furniture company. Stabilizing and waterproofing the roof and walls could cost upwards of half a million dollars alone.
Unruh, founder of Unruh Furniture, purchased the then-abandoned 36,000-square-foot building for $350,000. In September 2016, after nine months of renovations, Unruh Furniture unveiled its new space inside the old church.
Last summer, Unruh and his colleagues noticed a crack in a primary truss holding up the tall ceiling. After several months and $100,000 spent out of pocket trying to repair the truss, the ceiling eventually gave way. The city deemed it a “catastrophic collapse which endangered the health and safety of the public,” according to a statement from Beth Breitenstein, a spokeswoman for Kansas City’s City Planning and Development Department. “We are saddened to see the loss of this significant Kansas City landmark,” Breitenstein wrote. “City staff will review existing ordinances and determine opportunities for revisions that will better protect such important community assets. We will also reach out to our partners in the Historic Preservation Commission and historic preservation community to identify best practices.”
Unruh said despite outcries to save the building over the past few weeks, no one seemed to have the money to help restore it. Brad Wolf, a city historic preservation officer, previously told The Star that dilemmas like this are common as buildings grow older, and risk falling into disrepair.
On Tuesday, Wolf said if the Historic Preservation Commission could review historic sites prior to emergency demolition orders, they may be able to discuss possible funding options and solutions with the property owner before it reaches the point of no return. “We know that not everything is going to be saved,” Wolf added. “It’s an ongoing process.”
Unruh drives past the building every day or two. His wife is still too sad to come with. They bought a house in Midtown the same year they bought the church. In the time since, they’ve collected countless memories inside the grand structure, including trips to the bell tower with their four young children. He remembers the thousands of hours he and his employees put into cleaning the brick and stone as they attempted to restore the old church.
”It was a labor of love for quite a few years that has now come to a close,” said Unruh, who found a new workshop out of a warehouse in Harrisonville, MO. He’s still looking for a space in the metro to lease as a showroom.
The Disney brothers have made frequent stops by the lot over the past week, watching as the church, a cornerstone in the neighborhood, and a cornerstone in their lives, turned to ruins.
“I think he was probably as a young lad as awed with it as I was,” Charles Elias Disney said of his uncle, Walt. “There was something about it that spoke to your heart.”
He blew the old exposed church a kiss as he turned away.
"Throughout his entire lifetime, our Uncle Walt Disney was truly exceptional and quite an extraordinary man!
Most of all, he was always a family man!"
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney
Walt Disney: Extraordinary "Legend!"
Walt really understood human nature in a very genuine and personal manner! His feelings all came from very deep inside his heart, because he really did love and respect people and he really enjoyed elevating, affirming, and making people happy and helping others to succeed and to be successful. He didn't particularly like this notion, but, proudly, and again, we state: "Our Uncle Walt Disney was truly a legend in his own time!"
Walt's beloved daughters were
Diane Marie Disney & Sharon Mae Disney
Norman Rockwell sketched them for Walt's office
Diane Marie Disney
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Sharon Mae Disney
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Walt Disney's staff with his brother Roy on February 7, 1924, all of whom were from Kansas City, Missouri, at the Disney Bros. Animation Studios in Hollywood...
This February 7, 1924 photo shows Walt Disney with his staff, all of whom were from Kansas City, Missouri. The men in the photo are (from left to right) Walker Harman, Ub Iwerks, Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising, Friz Freleng, and Walt's brother Roy O. Disney. Walt Disney kneels beside Lois Hardwick.Â
Walter Elias Disney 1901 + 1966
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Ubbe Eert "Ub" Iwerks ASC 1901 + 1971
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Walt Disney as a young boy in
Kansas City, Missouri
(1911) He was ten years of age when this picture was made
Walt Disney standing on the grounds outside his Burbank, California studios
Walt Disney (front row) with his associates in an early Walt Disney Studios in Hollywood, California Early image of Mickey Mouse is standing in front of Walt
Walter Elias Disney and his brother Roy Oliver Disney were the Founders of what today is known as The Walt Disney Company
Entrance to the Disney Legends Plaza at The Walt Disney Company with bronze images of Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue
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Walt Disney with his early camera in Kansas City, Missouri
Walt Disney with Mickey Mouse "Best Friends" at the entrance to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida This likeness of Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse greets every guest at each of the Disney Parks!
The Disney Plaque in each of the Disney Parks
The Disney Family enjoying & sharing Thanksgiving dinner together! Artist rendering by Norman Rockwell
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Walt Disney (center) with his Mickey Mouse Club in 1955
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Walt Disney describes from his WED Enterprises on "The Wonderful World of Disney" on TV the building of his Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California in 1954
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Walt Disney took a huge risk when he decided to make the very first animated feature film
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937
Walt Disney's original drawings as he developed "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" - The first animated feature motion picture in 1937
Walt Disney with his original drawing concepts for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937)
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
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SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
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Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" The Original Full-length Feature Animated Film (1937)
"Pinocchio" with his creator Gepetto & Friends (1940)
JIMINY CRICKET is Pinocchio's side-kick friend!
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PINOCCHIO as his nose grows
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"Fantasia" (1940)
"The Reluctant Dragon" (1941)
"Dumbo" (1941)
DUMBO flying into his Mother's Arms
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DUMBO flying!
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Walt Disney put his heart into every story he told. He had a special love for the story of "Bambi" and he spent a lot of time watching and studying the habits and movements of fawns and deer...
Walt Disney with early renderings for his feature film "BAMBI"
"Bambi" (1942)
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"Bambi" One of Walt Disney's favorite animated feature films (1942)
Bambi always loved his Mother...
Bambi's Mother is shot and killed...(1942)
Walt Disney with fawn during the filming of "Bambi" (1942)
"Song of the South" (1946)
"Mary Poppins" This IS one of Walt Disney's most favorite productions! (1964)
"The Lion King" (1994)
Mickey Mouse photographing Walt Disney's Family at Christmas...
Cast members of the very spectacular and iconic Disney Family ~ The Walt Disney Company
"The Lion King"
World Premiere was on July 19, 2019 in the Disney El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. This has been one of the greatest openings of any film in history!
"THE LION KING" is one of the most beautiful films ever created! Walt Disney would have been very pleased!
Simba is awakened!
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Simba is presented to the Animal Kingdom!
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Simba has really big paws to fill...!
The Lion King (1994) is one of the biggest animated films of all time with a lifetime global box office gross of $968.8 million, including $422.8 million domestically. It won Academy Awards for the original song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (Elton John, Tim Rice) and original score (Hans Zimmer), plus two Grammy Awards, with the soundtrack selling over 14 million copies. In 1997, the stage production The Lion King made its Broadway debut, winning six Tony Awards; 21 years later, it remains one of Broadway’s biggest hits alongside several other productions running around the world, including London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Mexico City, Shanghai, and North America. Translated into eight different languages, its 23 global productions have been seen by more than 85 million people across every continent except Antarctica. The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history. "The Lion King" live-action or "PHOTOREALISTIC" film opened July 19, 2019! Truly, one of the most spectacular films ever, from Walt Disney Pictures!
Simba is told to "Always Remember Who You Are!"
Simba's father shows him his entire kingdom!
This iconic movie is making its way back into movie theaters with a new look to the same beloved story. The Walt Disney Pictures film was originally released in 1994 through traditional animation.
With updated technology, the production of this film has gone through a photorealistic computer animated makeover and it is sure to make for an unforgettable experience that the entire family will be able to enjoy.
In honor of this new movie, Vocal Point is belting out the words to the most famous song from the film, ‘Circle Of Life.’
This iconic song became a standout hit after accompanying the 1994 animated movie release. The song was composed by Elton John and the lyrics were written by Tim Rice. It quickly climbed the Billboard charts and still remains a beloved favorite today.
“It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life”
"The Circle of Life" 2019
Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King 2024
"Mufasa: The Lion King" Opens on December 20, 2024
Disney's El Capitan Theatre at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, California 818-845-3110
And now, earnest and heartfelt reflections,
always connecting with so many wonderful
Family & Friends...
Meredith A. Disney
Meredith A. Disney was a multifaceted lady who was the mother of Charles Elias Disney and the step-mother of Daniel H. Disney. She was married to Raymond Arnold Disney, one of the elder brothers of Walt Disney. Early in life, she was an elementary school teacher and an important early active collaborator with the composition of music and lyrics for feature films. Earlier, she was married to Charles W. Fisher and had one son and two grandchildren. She was a very close lifetime friend to both Walt and Lilly Disney, Diane and Ron Miller, and Roy O. and Edna Disney, and Roy E. and Patricia Disney. It was Edna Francis Disney who first introduced Meredith to Raymond A. Disney at the Westminster Congregational Church when both Edna and Meredith were employed by The Kansas City Times in Kansas City, Missouri. Meredith was the co-founder of LodeStar Pictures, an early feature film financing entity. LodeStar Pictures was involved with some very wonderful films across many years! Meredith was engaged with LodeStar Pictures right up to the time when she passed away as the result of a terrible automobile accident that occurred when she was returning home from Catholic Mass.
Many of Meredith's very close friends were often also involved in the film and entertainment industry and in particular her very longtime friend, actress, and entrepreneur, Rosalind Russell. Meredith and Rosalind were actually "quite glamorous!" Their personality similarities were such that often people thought they were sisters! Both Meredith and Rosalind shared their deep devotion to the Roman Catholic Church--Rosalind actually sponsored Meredith when she converted to Cathoicism--and often both co-hosted fundraisers for the Church as well as for many other philanthropic and charitable endeavors. Of note, Meredith was also a longtime close friend to Loretta Mahony, the Mother of His Eminence +Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles. Meredith also considered +Cardinal Mahony as a personal and close longtime friend and he was the Archbishop of Los Angeles when she converted to the Catholic Faith! Meredith enjoyed two sponsors, including Patty Disney, on the most joyous Easter when she came into the Catholic Church.
Many of Meredith's very close friends were often also involved in the film and entertainment industry and in particular her very longtime friend, actress, and entrepreneur, Rosalind Russell. Meredith and Rosalind were actually "quite glamorous!" Their personality similarities were such that often people thought they were sisters! Both Meredith and Rosalind shared their deep devotion to the Roman Catholic Church--Rosalind actually sponsored Meredith when she converted to Cathoicism--and often both co-hosted fundraisers for the Church as well as for many other philanthropic and charitable endeavors. Of note, Meredith was also a longtime close friend to Loretta Mahony, the Mother of His Eminence +Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles. Meredith also considered +Cardinal Mahony as a personal and close longtime friend and he was the Archbishop of Los Angeles when she converted to the Catholic Faith! Meredith enjoyed two sponsors, including Patty Disney, on the most joyous Easter when she came into the Catholic Church.
His Eminence Cardinal Roger Mahony, Meredith A. Disney & Patty Disney at St. Vibiana Cathedral in Los Ageles, California
Throughout her life Meredith Disney facilitated and organized numerous groups to work together for many wonderful causes that would help people attain success in whatever good they desired for their lives! She was always a source of encouragement to everyone she met, especially children!
In later years Meredith helped raise funds for the construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, both in downtown Los Angeles. One of her particular interests was with the Shriner's Hospitals for Crippled Children, later, and now known as the Shriner's Hospitals for Children! Meredith believed and lived by this custom: "It was never about what you have or what you own but most importantly, what good you can do for others with what you do have, because "all" that you have is a blessing from God!" Meredith laughingly would state: "I never saw a moving truck follow a funeral hearse into the cemetery! Sadly, some folks really do believe they will take everything they possess with them, and even when they pass from this life. I really do believe a great and most likely and unexpected surprise awaits them! But, I do believe God will forgive them!"
Meredith did believe, and with great and sincere conviction, that for everyone each and every day was a gift from God. And on her crypt monument in Holy Redeemer Chapel Mausoleum in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Culver City, California the following epitaph reads: "You are loved by everyone you touched. You are now in the Company of Jesus and His Mother and all of the Saints of God." Meredith was a wonderful friend and she always was so kind and loyal to everyone! Even with the passage of many years since she passed from this life, on February 2, 1998, there remains an indelible memory of her life and her abiding faith, and especially of her love and care for so many members of her family and friends! Meredith was always such an example to her family and friends! And Meredith Disney is missed because she made such a lasting impression on everyone with her genuine love and her thoughtful generosity...!
In later years Meredith helped raise funds for the construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, both in downtown Los Angeles. One of her particular interests was with the Shriner's Hospitals for Crippled Children, later, and now known as the Shriner's Hospitals for Children! Meredith believed and lived by this custom: "It was never about what you have or what you own but most importantly, what good you can do for others with what you do have, because "all" that you have is a blessing from God!" Meredith laughingly would state: "I never saw a moving truck follow a funeral hearse into the cemetery! Sadly, some folks really do believe they will take everything they possess with them, and even when they pass from this life. I really do believe a great and most likely and unexpected surprise awaits them! But, I do believe God will forgive them!"
Meredith did believe, and with great and sincere conviction, that for everyone each and every day was a gift from God. And on her crypt monument in Holy Redeemer Chapel Mausoleum in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Culver City, California the following epitaph reads: "You are loved by everyone you touched. You are now in the Company of Jesus and His Mother and all of the Saints of God." Meredith was a wonderful friend and she always was so kind and loyal to everyone! Even with the passage of many years since she passed from this life, on February 2, 1998, there remains an indelible memory of her life and her abiding faith, and especially of her love and care for so many members of her family and friends! Meredith was always such an example to her family and friends! And Meredith Disney is missed because she made such a lasting impression on everyone with her genuine love and her thoughtful generosity...!
Rosalind Russell
Catherine Rosalind Russell and Meredith A. Disney were very close friends across many, many years. Their thought process was quite similar on religious, and personal and business affairs! Very often, because Meredith and Rosalind's personality characteristics were so similar, people thought they must surely be sisters! Rosalind and Meredith saw and really believed in the true nature and value of honest humor! Incidentally, Rosalind and Meredith were both born in 1907. Rosalind was a very successful actress on the Broadway stage and in so many films! Additionally, she was a singer and screenwriter. Most everyone identifies with her as their very own "Auntie Mame,” one of Rosalind's personal and favorite film and stage roles when she played Mame Dennis. Her starring roles also included director Howard Hawks' comedy "His Girl Friday" with Cary Grant. Her role in "Gypsy" with Natalie Wood and Karl Malden when she played Rose Hovick, Gypsy Rose Lee's Mother, was another one of her cherished roles. She starred in many, many other feature films. She was nominated for and won all five Golden Globes. She won a Tony Award in 1953. Rosalind was nominated for four Academy Awards for Best Actress! Rosalind was featured on the cover of Life Magazine in 1939 and again in 1956 for her starring role in "Auntie Mame." She was also featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1953 in an article entitled "100 ways to lose a man." She was an actress who was able to successfully play comedic roles as well as serious roles. Rosalind was generous to a fault! She was an astute business lady and she invested in "seed" funding for feature film productions. Rosalind and Meredith regularly enjoyed visiting the Los Angeles Children's Hospital and the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children and taking gifts to many children.
A funny and very cute story Rosalind liked to share was about the day she was with close friends Lilly Disney and Edna Disney and Meredith Disney when they enjoyed lunch together at the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood. Following lunch and as they were leaving the grill, they encountered an organ grinder and his small dancing monkey on Hollywood Boulevard. The monkey held out a tin cup for tips and each one of the women placed some money in the cup and when Rosalind stooped down to place her money in the cup, the little monkey jumped on her shoulder and grabbed her hat. The monkey then placed Rosalind's hat on his head and began to dance! The four friends could hardly contain their laughter and Rosalind thought the monkey looked so cute and so she let him keep the hat as a gift and, anyway, she said: "The hat looked better on the monkey than on me!" Rosalind's humor and laughter was always so genuine, so engaging, and always quite infectious, to be certain!
Rosalind Russell was truly a "one of a kind lady" and a very dear and sweet and loving friend across so many years and when she passed away, Meredith Disney said: "I have lost one of my closest and best friends. Rosalind will always live on in my heart. I miss her presence and her love and friendship and I pray for her to help make Heaven happy!" Rosalind passed from this life on November 28, 1976. Meredith Disney spoke of their dear friendship often and for the rest of her own life!
A funny and very cute story Rosalind liked to share was about the day she was with close friends Lilly Disney and Edna Disney and Meredith Disney when they enjoyed lunch together at the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood. Following lunch and as they were leaving the grill, they encountered an organ grinder and his small dancing monkey on Hollywood Boulevard. The monkey held out a tin cup for tips and each one of the women placed some money in the cup and when Rosalind stooped down to place her money in the cup, the little monkey jumped on her shoulder and grabbed her hat. The monkey then placed Rosalind's hat on his head and began to dance! The four friends could hardly contain their laughter and Rosalind thought the monkey looked so cute and so she let him keep the hat as a gift and, anyway, she said: "The hat looked better on the monkey than on me!" Rosalind's humor and laughter was always so genuine, so engaging, and always quite infectious, to be certain!
Rosalind Russell was truly a "one of a kind lady" and a very dear and sweet and loving friend across so many years and when she passed away, Meredith Disney said: "I have lost one of my closest and best friends. Rosalind will always live on in my heart. I miss her presence and her love and friendship and I pray for her to help make Heaven happy!" Rosalind passed from this life on November 28, 1976. Meredith Disney spoke of their dear friendship often and for the rest of her own life!
Maryanne Louise Harwood
Maryanne Louise Harwood was a liftetime wonderful and close friend across so many years! She was one of the most generous and kind friends ever! Maryanne had a sweet and gentle countenance that always made you feel she was happy to see you and to spend time with you. And did she enjoy sharing stories about her childhood in Kansas and stories about her siblings and her late husband and her children! Maryanne was always willing to share a funny story and her laugher was quite contagious and she always filled a room with her beautiful smile! She was one of those people you wanted to spend time with and enjoy great meals and she especially enjoyed a great steak dinner in many of her favorite restaurants or clubs.
On a drive when she traveled to Minnesota she was quite excited to see wildlife up close and personal. Maryanne saw the beauty in nature and she captured her feelings in the many, many paintings she created. She enjoyed creating oil and watercolor paintings and creating her own particular style using unusual techniques throughout her beautiful if not stunning art creations.
Maryanne won a number of top prizes for her art paintings in numerous fairs and gallery showings! She showed her art in the famous Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a "stand alone" Bridge player. When you engaged in a card game with her, she was almost always the "top bidder!" It was always fun to sit and talk with Maryanne as she had a lifetime of experiences filled with so many interesting and even some challenging events. Meredith, and Charles Elias Disney always knew that Maryanne was one of their dearest and loving and most charming friends for so many years! And, Maryanne Harwood and Meredith Disney passed away just eleven months apart! Most likely they are in Heaven and often playing Bridge!
On a drive when she traveled to Minnesota she was quite excited to see wildlife up close and personal. Maryanne saw the beauty in nature and she captured her feelings in the many, many paintings she created. She enjoyed creating oil and watercolor paintings and creating her own particular style using unusual techniques throughout her beautiful if not stunning art creations.
Maryanne won a number of top prizes for her art paintings in numerous fairs and gallery showings! She showed her art in the famous Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a "stand alone" Bridge player. When you engaged in a card game with her, she was almost always the "top bidder!" It was always fun to sit and talk with Maryanne as she had a lifetime of experiences filled with so many interesting and even some challenging events. Meredith, and Charles Elias Disney always knew that Maryanne was one of their dearest and loving and most charming friends for so many years! And, Maryanne Harwood and Meredith Disney passed away just eleven months apart! Most likely they are in Heaven and often playing Bridge!
Catherine Campbell Hearst
Catherine Campbell Hearst, was the wife of Randolph A. Hearst and she was a longtime member of the University of California Board of Regents where she played such an active role. She and Meredith A. Disney were longtime close friends!
Catherine Hearst made her mark as a regent, standing firmly with former Gov. Ronald Reagan at a time when the free-speech and anti-war movements rocked the foundations of the university system. But her day-to-day life was shattered February. 4, 1974, when her daughter Patricia "Patty" Hearst was kidnapped by an obscure revolutionary group called the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Patty Hearst was later tried for joining her captors in a bank robbery. She received a seven-year sentence, which was commuted by President Jimmy Carter.
Catherine and her former husband, Randolph Apperson Hearst, had four other daughters -- Catherine, Virginia, Anne and Victoria.
"She remained very involved with her daughters; she was a very concerned mother," said Bernard Shaw, Mrs. Hearst's son-in-law and Patricia Hearst's husband. "I spoke to her once a week on the phone. She was always interested in who was doing what. Even though her girls had grown up, she was still a great parent. We miss her deeply."
Helen Mehawk, who worked as secretary to Randolph Hearst for 25 years, said she always considered Mrs. Hearst "a great and lovely lady who had a marvelous sense of humor." Mehawk praised Mrs. Hearst as "a real Southern lady, very gracious, very kind." Catherine was a very devout Roman Catholic and she was active in Good Shepherd Parish in Beverly Hills.
Catherine was very generous and she made gracious gifts to various charities including Catholic Charities and the building fund for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. She was a longtime personal friend to Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the former Archbishop of Los Angeles.
Born July 5, 1917, Catherine Wood Campbell left her native Atlanta, where she had attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from the Washington Seminary, in the 1930s. She moved to San Francisco and, in 1938, married Randolph Hearst, a son of William Randolph Hearst who later became president of The San Francisco Examiner and chairman of the Hearst Corp. Randolph Hearst is presently a trustee of the Hearst Corporation and the Hearst Foundation.
Meredith Disney enjoyed spending time with Catherine and on one occasion they traveled together by train to New York where they attended a film seminar and enjoyed several Broadway plays. Meredith said: "Catherine Hearst was such a charming and loving longtime friend and I always remembered the trials she endured and with such dignity and grace!"
Catherine passed away in Los Angeles on December 30, 1998.
Catherine Hearst made her mark as a regent, standing firmly with former Gov. Ronald Reagan at a time when the free-speech and anti-war movements rocked the foundations of the university system. But her day-to-day life was shattered February. 4, 1974, when her daughter Patricia "Patty" Hearst was kidnapped by an obscure revolutionary group called the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Patty Hearst was later tried for joining her captors in a bank robbery. She received a seven-year sentence, which was commuted by President Jimmy Carter.
Catherine and her former husband, Randolph Apperson Hearst, had four other daughters -- Catherine, Virginia, Anne and Victoria.
"She remained very involved with her daughters; she was a very concerned mother," said Bernard Shaw, Mrs. Hearst's son-in-law and Patricia Hearst's husband. "I spoke to her once a week on the phone. She was always interested in who was doing what. Even though her girls had grown up, she was still a great parent. We miss her deeply."
Helen Mehawk, who worked as secretary to Randolph Hearst for 25 years, said she always considered Mrs. Hearst "a great and lovely lady who had a marvelous sense of humor." Mehawk praised Mrs. Hearst as "a real Southern lady, very gracious, very kind." Catherine was a very devout Roman Catholic and she was active in Good Shepherd Parish in Beverly Hills.
Catherine was very generous and she made gracious gifts to various charities including Catholic Charities and the building fund for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. She was a longtime personal friend to Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the former Archbishop of Los Angeles.
Born July 5, 1917, Catherine Wood Campbell left her native Atlanta, where she had attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from the Washington Seminary, in the 1930s. She moved to San Francisco and, in 1938, married Randolph Hearst, a son of William Randolph Hearst who later became president of The San Francisco Examiner and chairman of the Hearst Corp. Randolph Hearst is presently a trustee of the Hearst Corporation and the Hearst Foundation.
Meredith Disney enjoyed spending time with Catherine and on one occasion they traveled together by train to New York where they attended a film seminar and enjoyed several Broadway plays. Meredith said: "Catherine Hearst was such a charming and loving longtime friend and I always remembered the trials she endured and with such dignity and grace!"
Catherine passed away in Los Angeles on December 30, 1998.
And then, there is the incomparable Cecil B. DeMille...
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was a longtime very close friend and business associate of Meredith Disney. He was often legitimately referred to as one of the actual original "Founding Fathers of Hollywood!" He was co-founder of Paramount Pictures Studios where the majority of his remarkable films were produced. His 1956 grand epic classic “The Ten Commandments” starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner and Anne Baxter is still one of the top grossing films (with adjusted grosses of 2 billion dollars) of all-time right up to this day! DeMille began his illustrious career as a stage actor in 1900. He later moved on to writing and directing stage productions and of course, he was actually an active co-founder of Paramount Pictures where he remained quite active right up to the time when he passed from this life!
Cecil Blount DeMille was a pioneer founder of the Hollywood motion-picture industry. His first film, The Squaw Man, was the first feature film shot in Hollywood. His last, The Ten Commandments (1956), remains a box-office legend. He made stars and cultivated artists. He was successful in aviation, banking, real estate, and radio. He received scores of honors, most notably two Academy Awards.® Mr. DeMille is the most successful and recognized producer-director in the early history of film.
His first silent film, "The Squaw Man" (1914), was a huge box-office hit and "served to really put Hollywood on the map." His first Biblical epic, “The Ten Commandments” (1923), was both a critical and financial success; it held the Paramount revenue record for 25 years. DeMille's silent film "The King of Kings" (1927) depicting the life of Christ and starring H. B. Warner has likely been seen by more people than any other film in history! DeMille's film "The Greatest Show on Earth" (that depicted the great circus known as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus) was awarded the Academy Award Oscar® for Best Picture of the Year in 1952. Meredith Disney invested in the making of “The Ten Commandments" (1956) and this launched her film seed financing entity known as LodeStar Pictures Est. 1956.
Meredith Disney and Cecil's wife Constance were very close friends and frequently enjoyed social parties together, very often in the beautiful classic DeMille residence at 2010 DeMille Drive in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. (Incidentally, Mickey Mouse who actually started out as a pet mouse Walt Disney had in his original office in Kansas City, Missouri, and that he had named "Mortimer," and later he was "born" in Los Feliz in Hollywood where Walt Disney animated his first image of the now-legendary character in the garage of his uncle Robert S. Disney, Sr. that was located on Kingswell Avenue between Vermont Avenue and Rodney Drive in the lovely Los Feliz neighborhood not far from what would much later become the DeMille home).
Charles Elias Disney and Cecil B. DeMille were very close and Charles Elias often enjoyed visiting Cecil and Constance in their home. Charles Elias visited the set of the epic-historical 1956 “The Ten Commandments” in Egypt during the actual filming of the DeMille classic film and at the time when DeMille suffered a near-fatal heart attack that impacted him for the remainder of his life right up to the time when he passed away on January 21, 1959. He is entombed in the DeMille Crypt Mausoleum in Hollywood Forever Memorial Park Cemetery located just behind his renowned Paramount Pictures Studios. DeMille was really a kind and gentle man and like Walt and Roy Disney he was a very conservative Republican and held to strong ideals and in true DeMille fashion: "His word was always his bond!" Cecil was actually a very close personal friend to both Walt and Roy O. Disney for many years! Walt would often talk with DeMille and he valued his personal and business advice.
DeMille influenced many generations of film goers as well as many other filmmakers with his consistently inspiring and lavish film productions that deeply pleased many, many generations of film audiences. DeMille's entire life was deeply influenced by his parents and his own family and close friends. When Charles Elias visited him in his Paramount Studios division known as Motion Picture Associates headquarters in Hollywood, DeMille was always such an energetic and kind presence. They often would enjoy lunch together in the commissary at Paramount Pictures! DeMille was a very generous gentleman to a fault, and having funded many worthy charities with his DeMille Trust, an active trust that continues to this day! To be certain, "C. B. DeMille was in a well-deserved exclusive class unto himself!"
Cecil Blount DeMille was a pioneer founder of the Hollywood motion-picture industry. His first film, The Squaw Man, was the first feature film shot in Hollywood. His last, The Ten Commandments (1956), remains a box-office legend. He made stars and cultivated artists. He was successful in aviation, banking, real estate, and radio. He received scores of honors, most notably two Academy Awards.® Mr. DeMille is the most successful and recognized producer-director in the early history of film.
His first silent film, "The Squaw Man" (1914), was a huge box-office hit and "served to really put Hollywood on the map." His first Biblical epic, “The Ten Commandments” (1923), was both a critical and financial success; it held the Paramount revenue record for 25 years. DeMille's silent film "The King of Kings" (1927) depicting the life of Christ and starring H. B. Warner has likely been seen by more people than any other film in history! DeMille's film "The Greatest Show on Earth" (that depicted the great circus known as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus) was awarded the Academy Award Oscar® for Best Picture of the Year in 1952. Meredith Disney invested in the making of “The Ten Commandments" (1956) and this launched her film seed financing entity known as LodeStar Pictures Est. 1956.
Meredith Disney and Cecil's wife Constance were very close friends and frequently enjoyed social parties together, very often in the beautiful classic DeMille residence at 2010 DeMille Drive in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. (Incidentally, Mickey Mouse who actually started out as a pet mouse Walt Disney had in his original office in Kansas City, Missouri, and that he had named "Mortimer," and later he was "born" in Los Feliz in Hollywood where Walt Disney animated his first image of the now-legendary character in the garage of his uncle Robert S. Disney, Sr. that was located on Kingswell Avenue between Vermont Avenue and Rodney Drive in the lovely Los Feliz neighborhood not far from what would much later become the DeMille home).
Charles Elias Disney and Cecil B. DeMille were very close and Charles Elias often enjoyed visiting Cecil and Constance in their home. Charles Elias visited the set of the epic-historical 1956 “The Ten Commandments” in Egypt during the actual filming of the DeMille classic film and at the time when DeMille suffered a near-fatal heart attack that impacted him for the remainder of his life right up to the time when he passed away on January 21, 1959. He is entombed in the DeMille Crypt Mausoleum in Hollywood Forever Memorial Park Cemetery located just behind his renowned Paramount Pictures Studios. DeMille was really a kind and gentle man and like Walt and Roy Disney he was a very conservative Republican and held to strong ideals and in true DeMille fashion: "His word was always his bond!" Cecil was actually a very close personal friend to both Walt and Roy O. Disney for many years! Walt would often talk with DeMille and he valued his personal and business advice.
DeMille influenced many generations of film goers as well as many other filmmakers with his consistently inspiring and lavish film productions that deeply pleased many, many generations of film audiences. DeMille's entire life was deeply influenced by his parents and his own family and close friends. When Charles Elias visited him in his Paramount Studios division known as Motion Picture Associates headquarters in Hollywood, DeMille was always such an energetic and kind presence. They often would enjoy lunch together in the commissary at Paramount Pictures! DeMille was a very generous gentleman to a fault, and having funded many worthy charities with his DeMille Trust, an active trust that continues to this day! To be certain, "C. B. DeMille was in a well-deserved exclusive class unto himself!"
Charles Elias Disney at the DeMille residence at 2010 DeMille Drive in Hollywood (1958)
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Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney at the DeMille residence (1985)
Charles Elias Disney at the DeMille residence
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Images of Cecil B. DeMille filming his epic "The Ten Commandments."
Cecil was a very close friend to Walt Disney...
and to Raymond and Meredith and Charles Elias Disney as well.
Actor Yul Brynner made some of these photos on the set of this great film in Egypt in 1955-56!
Raymond and Meredith Disney and son Charles Elias Disney visited the set in Egypt during the filming of DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" when DeMille suffered a near-fatal heart attack!
Cecil B. DeMille with Charlton Heston as Moses
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Cecil B. DeMille walking in front of the huge set for the Exodus scenes
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Anne Baxter & Yul Brynner with Cecil B. DeMille
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DeMille explaining a scene to Yul Brynner & Anne Baxter
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Cecil B. DeMille explaining a scene to Charlton Heston as Moses
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Cecil B. DeMille with Charlton & Lydia Heston and their son Fraser, who was the infant Moses in the film
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DeMille with Anne Baxter on the set of "The Ten Commandments" in Egypt
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Jimmy Stewart
James Maitland Stewart also known as Jimmy Stewart was an American actor and military officer who is among the most honored and popular stars in film history. A major Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player, Stewart was known for his distinctive drawl and down-to-earth persona, which helped him often portray American middle-class men struggling in crisis. Many of the films he starred in have become enduring classics. Stewart was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition for The Philadelphia Story (1940), and received an Academy Lifetime Achievement award in 1985. In 1999, Stewart was named the third greatest male screen legend of the Golden age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute. behind Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant. The American Film Institute has also named five of Stewart's films to its list of the 100 best American films ever made. Of course one can never discuss Jimmy Stewart without mentioning his 1946 iconic portrayal as George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life!" A true classic unto itself!
He also had a most noted military career and was a World War II and Vietnam veteran, who rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force Reserve, becoming the highest-ranking actor in military history.
Jimmy and wife Gloria were very longtime social friends with Meredith Disney. He was always truly the perfect gentleman. He was quite conservative and he considered himself as "one of the luckiest people in the world!" He was a most proud American and he never judged others even when he disagreed with their opposite point of view! He was always considered one of the most successful actors in Hollywood history! Whenever fans or tourists would pass by his Beverly Hills home and he was outside, he would always give that famous smile and wave. He considered his fans to be so important since he truly believed his fans helped make him the success he enjoyed across so many years!
Jimmy Stewart had many, many friends in Hollywood and one of his closest friends was fellow actor Henry Fonda. Both men shared so many of the same values including their deep patriotic beliefs! Another longtime close friend was director Cecil B. DeMille. Jimmy was quite charitable and he enjoyed helping others and he did so mostly anonymously and without any public fanfare!
So much more can be said of Jimmy Stewart and it would require an almost unlimited amount of space to adequately present countless accurate details relating to his life! Jimmy Stewart passed from this life on July 2, 1997.
He also had a most noted military career and was a World War II and Vietnam veteran, who rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force Reserve, becoming the highest-ranking actor in military history.
Jimmy and wife Gloria were very longtime social friends with Meredith Disney. He was always truly the perfect gentleman. He was quite conservative and he considered himself as "one of the luckiest people in the world!" He was a most proud American and he never judged others even when he disagreed with their opposite point of view! He was always considered one of the most successful actors in Hollywood history! Whenever fans or tourists would pass by his Beverly Hills home and he was outside, he would always give that famous smile and wave. He considered his fans to be so important since he truly believed his fans helped make him the success he enjoyed across so many years!
Jimmy Stewart had many, many friends in Hollywood and one of his closest friends was fellow actor Henry Fonda. Both men shared so many of the same values including their deep patriotic beliefs! Another longtime close friend was director Cecil B. DeMille. Jimmy was quite charitable and he enjoyed helping others and he did so mostly anonymously and without any public fanfare!
So much more can be said of Jimmy Stewart and it would require an almost unlimited amount of space to adequately present countless accurate details relating to his life! Jimmy Stewart passed from this life on July 2, 1997.
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants, Sinatra began his musical career in the swing era with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after he signed with Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the "bobby soxers." He released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, in 1946. Sinatra's professional career had stalled by the early 1950s, and he turned to Las Vegas, where he became one of its best known performers as part of the Rat Pack. His career was reborn in 1953 with the success of the film From Here to Eternity, with his performance subsequently winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra released several critically lauded albums, including In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Only the Lonely (1958) and Nice 'n' Easy (1960).
American music critic Robert Christgau referred to Sinatra as "the greatest singer of the 20th century". His popularity was later matched only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. For Santopietro, Sinatra was the "greatest male pop singer in the history of America", who amassed "unprecedented power onscreen and off", and "seemed to exemplify the common man, an ethnic twentieth-century American male who reached the 'top of the heap', yet never forgot his roots". Santopietro argues that Sinatra created his own world, which he was able to dominate—his career was centred around power, perfecting the ability to capture an audience.Composer Gus Levene commented that Sinatra's strength was that when it came to lyrics, telling a story musically, Sinatra displayed a "genius" ability and feeling, which with the "rare combination of voice and showmanship" made him the "original singer" which others who followed most tried to emulate. George Roberts, a trombonist in Sinatra's band, remarked that Sinatra had a "charisma, or whatever it is about him, that no one else had". Biographer Arnold Shaw considered that "If Las Vegas had not existed, Sinatra could have invented it". He quoted reporter James Bacon in saying that Sinatra was the "swinging image on which the town is built", adding that no other entertainer quite "embodied the glamour" associated with Las Vegas as him. Sinatra continues to be seen as one of the icons of the 20th century, and has three stars on the Hollywood Walt of Fame for his work in film and music. There are stars on east and west sides of the 1600 block of Vine Street respectively, and one on the south side of the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard for his work in television.
Frank was a longtime friend and he was one of the most generous of friends and could always be counted on to support children's benefits and charities. Frank was a devout Roman Catholic and he seldom, if ever, missed Sunday Masses! So much more can be written about our good friend Frank Sinatra! It would be impossible due to space limitations, to include so many additional remarks about this most remarkable man. So, we shall conclude by saying: "Thanks, Frank, you certainly did it your way, and we are the better for having known you across so many years!"
American music critic Robert Christgau referred to Sinatra as "the greatest singer of the 20th century". His popularity was later matched only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. For Santopietro, Sinatra was the "greatest male pop singer in the history of America", who amassed "unprecedented power onscreen and off", and "seemed to exemplify the common man, an ethnic twentieth-century American male who reached the 'top of the heap', yet never forgot his roots". Santopietro argues that Sinatra created his own world, which he was able to dominate—his career was centred around power, perfecting the ability to capture an audience.Composer Gus Levene commented that Sinatra's strength was that when it came to lyrics, telling a story musically, Sinatra displayed a "genius" ability and feeling, which with the "rare combination of voice and showmanship" made him the "original singer" which others who followed most tried to emulate. George Roberts, a trombonist in Sinatra's band, remarked that Sinatra had a "charisma, or whatever it is about him, that no one else had". Biographer Arnold Shaw considered that "If Las Vegas had not existed, Sinatra could have invented it". He quoted reporter James Bacon in saying that Sinatra was the "swinging image on which the town is built", adding that no other entertainer quite "embodied the glamour" associated with Las Vegas as him. Sinatra continues to be seen as one of the icons of the 20th century, and has three stars on the Hollywood Walt of Fame for his work in film and music. There are stars on east and west sides of the 1600 block of Vine Street respectively, and one on the south side of the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard for his work in television.
Frank was a longtime friend and he was one of the most generous of friends and could always be counted on to support children's benefits and charities. Frank was a devout Roman Catholic and he seldom, if ever, missed Sunday Masses! So much more can be written about our good friend Frank Sinatra! It would be impossible due to space limitations, to include so many additional remarks about this most remarkable man. So, we shall conclude by saying: "Thanks, Frank, you certainly did it your way, and we are the better for having known you across so many years!"
John Wayne
John Wayne was a longtime close family friend! A detailed biography is being developed and will be featured in this section in the near future! To say the very least, John Wayne was one of the most extraordinary individuals to ever grace the silver screen!
(More coming on John Wayne)
(More coming on John Wayne)
John Ringling North
John Ringling North was a very longtime close friend to Raymond and Meredith Disney and son Charles Elias. John was truly the "keeper of the flame" for the famous Ringling Brothers who owned the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. John was also very close to Charles Ringling. It was Charles who had the foresight and wisdom to purchase the huge acreages in Florida where the great circus was to be headquartered! John encouraged Charles Elias Disney to really love the circus and when he was a guest in his Florida home, he personally accompanied Charles Elias around the massive circus headquarters! John was born on August 14, 1903 in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the son of Ida Loraina Wihelmina (Ringling) and Harry Whitestone North. His mother was the sister of the Ringling brothers. As a boy, he hawked balloons and novelties at his uncles' circus. He learned to dance and play the saxophone from circus performers and formed his own dance band while at college.
He attended the University of Wisconsin and Yale University, but left the latter in his junior year. After working for two years in a New York stock brokerage, North worked for the Ringling Brothers' Real Estate Companies and for the circus during the summers. He returned to the brokerage business from 1929 to 1936, while continuing to assist the Ringling brothers with their business interests. After the death of his uncle and namesake, John Ringling, the last of the original Ringling brothers in 1936, North became president and director of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Inc. The original Ringling Brothers names were Albert, John, Charles, Otto and Alfred.
Under North's management, the circus switched from tents to air conditioned venues in 1956, in part to offset rising labor costs. North also replaced the circus's unrelated acts with thematic programs, and once hired Igor Stravinsky to compose a ballet for the circus' elephants with choreography by George Balanchine. The Ringling heirs sold the circus in 1967, ending 80 years of Ringling family control of the enterprise.
After the sale of the circus, he moved to Europe, where he lived in Switzerland and Belgium. In the early 1960s, North and his brother, Henry Ringling North, who had bought their father's ancestral home in County Galway, became Irish citizens. John Ringling North passed away from a stroke on June 4, 1985 in Brussels, Belgium at the age of 81. He was always such a kind gentleman and he was generous to a fault, and he especially was admired and quite respected by the many performers and crews of this great circus throughout his tenure as head of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus! The Greatest Show On Earth!
He attended the University of Wisconsin and Yale University, but left the latter in his junior year. After working for two years in a New York stock brokerage, North worked for the Ringling Brothers' Real Estate Companies and for the circus during the summers. He returned to the brokerage business from 1929 to 1936, while continuing to assist the Ringling brothers with their business interests. After the death of his uncle and namesake, John Ringling, the last of the original Ringling brothers in 1936, North became president and director of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Inc. The original Ringling Brothers names were Albert, John, Charles, Otto and Alfred.
Under North's management, the circus switched from tents to air conditioned venues in 1956, in part to offset rising labor costs. North also replaced the circus's unrelated acts with thematic programs, and once hired Igor Stravinsky to compose a ballet for the circus' elephants with choreography by George Balanchine. The Ringling heirs sold the circus in 1967, ending 80 years of Ringling family control of the enterprise.
After the sale of the circus, he moved to Europe, where he lived in Switzerland and Belgium. In the early 1960s, North and his brother, Henry Ringling North, who had bought their father's ancestral home in County Galway, became Irish citizens. John Ringling North passed away from a stroke on June 4, 1985 in Brussels, Belgium at the age of 81. He was always such a kind gentleman and he was generous to a fault, and he especially was admired and quite respected by the many performers and crews of this great circus throughout his tenure as head of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus! The Greatest Show On Earth!
Charles Elias Disney and his brother Daniel H. Disney are longtime friends of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus ®....also known as "The Greatest Show On Earth!"®
Daniel H. Disney behind the scenes at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
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Charles Elias Disney behind the scenes at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
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Charles Elias Disney and Daniel H. Disney and Cristian Petrea Disney have made many friends with circus performers and circus crews across many years! The brothers have actually traveled on the circus trains with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus® on several occasions. Charles' son Cristian (see page four of this site) is a former aerial performer with the circus. Both Charles Elias and Daniel support the circus as one of America's greatest entertainment enterprises and they know the circus has enthralled hundreds of millions and millions of people and that circus performers often are a continuance of several generations of the same families. Charles Elias Disney often states: "Circus people are of such a unique variety and a very common thread is that they are fiercely loyal and helpful to one other, and always willing to reach out to others!"
And we have really been personally supportive of the decision to discontinue the performing elephants. The circus made this decision based on their very strong desire to create a permanent and stable environment for these magnificent pachyderms and without their having to be moved around to so many locations! They now will live out their lives in the Ringling Bros. Elephant Refuge in Florida. The elephants were such an attraction far back in the very beginning with P. T. Barnum before there were zoos in the U. S. and most people had never ever seen an elephant!
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus® is partly an international compilation of various countries best and finest circus talent and these performers often come from afar to audition to perform with Ringling Bros. When you attend a performance of this great circus, you are witnessing some of the most talented circus performers in the world! When the show is completed, you are wanting for more and quite often members of the audience will return again for another great circus performance while the show is still in town!
Of Special Note:
SPECIAL UPDATED NOTICE.............................................
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will RE-OPEN in September of 2023!
Watch for Special Re-opening Notices!
And now, the finality for Feld Entertainment's
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus...
FOREVER, "The Greatest Shown On Earth!"
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus® will discontinue operating "on the road traveling performances" on Sunday, May 7, 2017 as the Blue Unit in the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and the Red Unit in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Sunday, May 21, 2017. The circus trains will return to Florida one last time following the closing performances of "The Greatest Show On Earth"® in Providence and Uniondale. 146 years of family entertainment is quite an unequaled record!
"Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of all ages, please allow the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to always live on in your hearts!"
Cristian Petrea Disney & Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney
Earliest P. T. Barnum Poster featuring JUMBO, the Elephant
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P. T. Barnum & General Tom Thumb
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The Five Ringling Brothers: ALF, JOHN, CHARLES, ALFRED, & OTTO
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An Original Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Poster
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Will Rogers
William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers was a humorist, stage and motion picture actor, vaudeville performer, American cowboy, newspaper columnist, and social commentator. Known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son", Rogers was born on November 4, 1879 to a prominent Cherokee Nation family in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). He traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. By the mid-1930s, the American people adored Rogers. He was the leading political wit of his time, and was the highest paid Hollywood film star.
"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." Rogers even provided an epigram on his most famous epigram: When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read: "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I dident [sic] like." I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved. The line "All I know is what I read in the papers" is often incorrectly described as Rogers's most famous punch line, when it was, in fact, his opening line.
Rogers appeared in 21 feature films alongside such noted performers as Lew Ayres, Billie Burke, Richard Cromwell, Jane Darwell, Andy Devine, Jnet Gaynor, Rochelle Hudson, Boris Karloff, Myrna Loy, Joel McCrea, Hattie McDaniel, Ray Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan, ZaSu Pitts, Dick Powell, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Mickey Rooney and Peggy Wood. He was directed three times by John Ford. He appeared in three films with his good friend Stepin Fetchit (aka Lincoln T. Perry): David Harum, Judge Priest and The Country Chairman. With his voice becoming increasingly familiar to audiences, he was able to basically play himself, without normal makeup, in each film, managing to ad-lib and even work in his familiar commentaries on politics at times.
After Rogers gained recognition as a humorist-philosopher in vaudeville, he gained a national audience in acting and literary careers from 1915 to 1935. In these years, Rogers increasingly expressed the views of the "common man" in America. He downplayed academic credentials, noting, "Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." Americans of all walks admired his individualism, his appreciation for democratic ideas, and his liberal philosophies on most issues. Moreover, Rogers extolled hard work and long hours of toil in order to succeed, and such expressions upheld theories of many Americans on how best to realize their own dreams of success. He symbolized the self-made man, the common man, who believed in America, in progress, in the American Dream of upward mobility. His humor never offended even those who were the targets of it.
Rogers was famous for his use of language. He effectively utilized up-to-date slang and invented new words to fit his needs. He also made frequent use of puns and terms which closely linked him to the cowboy tradition, as well as speech patterns using a southern dialect.
Rogers became an advocate for the aviation industry after noticing advancements in Europe and befriending Charles Lindbergh, the most famous aviator of the era. During his 1926 European trip, he witnessed the European advances in commercial air service and compared them to the almost nonexistent facilities in the United States. Rogers' newspaper columns frequently emphasized the safety record, speed, and convenience of this means of transportation, and he helped shape public opinion on the subject.
There are many, many honors and memorials named for Will Rogers including the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma and the Will Rogers Turnpike also in Oklahoma.
Will Roger passed away as the result of a plane crash On August 15, 1935. He was originally interred in Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale, California and then was moved to a permanent crypt known as the Will Rogers's tomb from the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma.
"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." Rogers even provided an epigram on his most famous epigram: When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read: "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I dident [sic] like." I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved. The line "All I know is what I read in the papers" is often incorrectly described as Rogers's most famous punch line, when it was, in fact, his opening line.
Rogers appeared in 21 feature films alongside such noted performers as Lew Ayres, Billie Burke, Richard Cromwell, Jane Darwell, Andy Devine, Jnet Gaynor, Rochelle Hudson, Boris Karloff, Myrna Loy, Joel McCrea, Hattie McDaniel, Ray Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan, ZaSu Pitts, Dick Powell, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Mickey Rooney and Peggy Wood. He was directed three times by John Ford. He appeared in three films with his good friend Stepin Fetchit (aka Lincoln T. Perry): David Harum, Judge Priest and The Country Chairman. With his voice becoming increasingly familiar to audiences, he was able to basically play himself, without normal makeup, in each film, managing to ad-lib and even work in his familiar commentaries on politics at times.
After Rogers gained recognition as a humorist-philosopher in vaudeville, he gained a national audience in acting and literary careers from 1915 to 1935. In these years, Rogers increasingly expressed the views of the "common man" in America. He downplayed academic credentials, noting, "Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." Americans of all walks admired his individualism, his appreciation for democratic ideas, and his liberal philosophies on most issues. Moreover, Rogers extolled hard work and long hours of toil in order to succeed, and such expressions upheld theories of many Americans on how best to realize their own dreams of success. He symbolized the self-made man, the common man, who believed in America, in progress, in the American Dream of upward mobility. His humor never offended even those who were the targets of it.
Rogers was famous for his use of language. He effectively utilized up-to-date slang and invented new words to fit his needs. He also made frequent use of puns and terms which closely linked him to the cowboy tradition, as well as speech patterns using a southern dialect.
Rogers became an advocate for the aviation industry after noticing advancements in Europe and befriending Charles Lindbergh, the most famous aviator of the era. During his 1926 European trip, he witnessed the European advances in commercial air service and compared them to the almost nonexistent facilities in the United States. Rogers' newspaper columns frequently emphasized the safety record, speed, and convenience of this means of transportation, and he helped shape public opinion on the subject.
There are many, many honors and memorials named for Will Rogers including the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma and the Will Rogers Turnpike also in Oklahoma.
Will Roger passed away as the result of a plane crash On August 15, 1935. He was originally interred in Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale, California and then was moved to a permanent crypt known as the Will Rogers's tomb from the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma.
Will Rogers & Walt Disney
Will Rogers and Walt Disney were longtime close friends! Uncle Walt said he always enjoyed Will's humor and his wisdom. They played Polo together and once when Walt hurt his back in a match, Will helped him dismount from his horse and help him over to a bench for treatment from a physician also playing on their three-man team! Both men shared very conservative beliefs--and Will was a staunch Democreat and Walt was a staunch Republican. They enjoyed time together socially and their wives were also good friends. Walt and Will remained the best of friends right up to the time of Will's untimely passing in the plane crash in Point Barrows near Fairbanks in Alaska in 1935.
Jimmy Durante
James Francis Durante was an American singer, pianist, comedian, and actor. His distinctive clipped gravelly speech, New York accent, comic language-butchery, jazz-influenced songs, and prominent nose helped make him one of America's most familiar and popular personalities of the 1920s through the 1970s. He often referred to his nose as the Schnozzola (from the German Schnauze [nose]), and the word became his nickname. Jimmy was a longtime friend of Raymond and Meredith Disney and they enjoyed times together and on occasion they dined at The Brown Derby in Hollywood and the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Meredith often would recall Jimmy's wonderful humor and his love for children and his kindness toward everyone! Jimmy even would sit down at the grand piano in the Polo Lounge and sing a tune or two and everyone dining at that time were quite thrilled and showed their appreciation with their heartfelt applause! Meredith said: "Those were the days!"
Durante was born on the Lower East Side of New York City. He was the youngest of four children born to Rosa (Lentino) and Bartolomeo Durante, both of whom were immigrants from Salerno, Italy. Bartolomeo was a barber, and his wife Rosa was the sister of a woman who lived in the same boarding house. Young Jimmy served as an altar boy at Saint Malachy's Roman Catholic Church, known as the Actor's Chapel. By 1934, Durante had a major record hit with his own novelty composition, "Inka Dinka Doo", with lyrics by Ben Ryan. It became his theme song for the rest of his life.
He was often seen regularly in Las Vegas after Sunday Mass outside of the Guardian Angel Cathedral standing next to the priest and greeting the people as they left Mass.
In Disney's House of Mouse, a character named Mortimer Mouse (voiced by Maurice LaMarche) was based on Durante, complete with the "ha-cha-cha!"
"GOOD NIGHT, Mrs. Calabash--wherever you are!"
For years, Jimmy Durante ended his radio and television shows with that unusual sign-off. Most people thought the mysterious Mrs. Calabash must have been some fictional character that Durante dreamed up just to tease his audiences. But longtime residents of Calabash, North Carolina believe otherwise. The folks in this town will tell you she was a real person with a real name--and a fascinating story to boot. They claim that Mrs. Calabash was really a local woman named Lucille "Lucy" Coleman.
In 1940, Lucy was 28 years old and running a restaurant in Calabash, then a tiny seaside community bordering South Carolina. Durante and his touring entertainment troupe are said to have stopped in for supper one night. It may have been the genuine homespun friendliness of the young restaurant owner that prompted the gregarious Jimmy Durante to beckon Lucy over to his table for some short chitchat. "I'm going to make you famous," vowed Durante, thinking she recognized his well-known face. (In fact, at that moment, she didn't even know who he was!) Lucy's daughter, Clarice Holden, says she will never forget what happened next. "As Mr. Durante and his group were walking out the door after their meal," Clarice recalls,"he turned to my mom and said, 'Good night Mrs. Calabash.' "
Jimmy made many films at Metro-Golodwyn-Mayer and he alternated between Broadway and Hollywood in the 1930's and 1940's. He also was involved in many Radio and Television shows across many years. His life was such a full life and he impacted the lives of so many other entertainers and others in such a positive and endearing manner! He was a great friend!
Durante retired from performing in 1972 after he became wheelchair-bound following a stroke. He passed away of pneumonia in Santa Monica, California on January 29, 1980. He received Roman Catholic Funeral Rites four days later, with fellow entertainers including Desi Arnaz, Ernest Borgnine, Marty Allen, and Jack Carter and many others in attendance, and he was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.
Liberace
Władziu Valentino Liberace, known as Liberace, was an American pianist, singer, and actor. A child prodigy and the son of working-class immigrants, Liberace enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, recordings, television, motion pictures, and endorsements. At the height of his fame, from the 1950s to the 1970s, Liberace was the highest-paid entertainer in the world. Liberace was a longtime close personal friend to Meredith and Charles Elias Disney. He was a guest in their Malibu home across many years!
Liberace was such a most generous man and he was a devout Roman Catholic and he was quite generous to his Parish and he helped many friends throughout his entire life! He loved his family and often he would perform with his brother George. His mother who was Frances Zuchowska, often was in the audience at one of his concerts. She was also a guest in the Disney home on several occasions.
Liberace was such a most generous man and he was a devout Roman Catholic and he was quite generous to his Parish and he helped many friends throughout his entire life! He loved his family and often he would perform with his brother George. His mother who was Frances Zuchowska, often was in the audience at one of his concerts. She was also a guest in the Disney home on several occasions.
Liberace
Liberace or "Lee" as many of his close friends called him, entertained millions of people throughout his forty plus years of entertaining! He was actually one of the most popular entertainers in Las Vegas history. He had quite an extensive and very colorful museum in Nevada that contained his many lavish costumes and his many stylish automobiles. Many more things can be said of Liberace and space does not give us the opportunity to thoroughly emphasize the almost countless aspects of his most exciting life!
Bela Lugosi
Bela Lugosi was a Hungarian (Romanian)-American actor, famous for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 film and for his roles in various other horror films. Lugosi, the youngest of four children, was born Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó in Lugos in the Kingdom of Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania), not far from Transylvania, to István Blaskó, a banker, and Paula de Vojnich. He later based his last name on his hometown. He and his sister Vilma were raised in a Roman Catholic family.
He had been playing small parts on the stage in his native Hungary before making his first film in 1917, but had to leave the country after the failed Hungarian Communist Revolution of 1919. He had roles in several films in Weimar Germany before arriving in the United States as a seaman on a merchant ship. During World War I, he served as an infantryman in the Austro-Hungarian Army from 1914-16. There he rose to the rank of captain in the ski patrol and was awarded the Wound Medal for wounds he suffered while serving on the Russian front.
In 1927, he appeared as Count Dracula in a Broadway adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel. He later appeared in the classic 1931 film Dracula by Universal Pictures. Through the 1930s, he occupied an important niche in popular horror films, with their East European setting, but his Hungarian accent limited his repertoire, and he tried unsuccessfully to avoid typecasting. He was often paired with Boris Karloff in films.
Bela was a good friend of Raymond Disney and in later years, his son Charles Elias Disney. Bela was such a kind and gentle friend and he was anything but the familiar "Count Dracula" role he embraced and is perhaps best remembered by as he portrayed "Dracula" so convincingly!
He had been playing small parts on the stage in his native Hungary before making his first film in 1917, but had to leave the country after the failed Hungarian Communist Revolution of 1919. He had roles in several films in Weimar Germany before arriving in the United States as a seaman on a merchant ship. During World War I, he served as an infantryman in the Austro-Hungarian Army from 1914-16. There he rose to the rank of captain in the ski patrol and was awarded the Wound Medal for wounds he suffered while serving on the Russian front.
In 1927, he appeared as Count Dracula in a Broadway adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel. He later appeared in the classic 1931 film Dracula by Universal Pictures. Through the 1930s, he occupied an important niche in popular horror films, with their East European setting, but his Hungarian accent limited his repertoire, and he tried unsuccessfully to avoid typecasting. He was often paired with Boris Karloff in films.
Bela was a good friend of Raymond Disney and in later years, his son Charles Elias Disney. Bela was such a kind and gentle friend and he was anything but the familiar "Count Dracula" role he embraced and is perhaps best remembered by as he portrayed "Dracula" so convincingly!
Virginia Davis McGhee
Virginia Davis began working for Walt Disney's Kansas City, Missouri company known as the Laugh-O-Gram Studio, in the summer of 1924. She was hired by Disney to act in a film called "Alice's Wonderland" which combined live action with animation. When Laugh-O-Gram failed and Disney moved to Los Angeles, on the basis of the Alice's Wonderland, Winkler Pictures signed Disney for a series known as the Alice Comedies, or Alice in Cartoonland. Disney convinced Davis' family to bring her from Missouri to Los Angeles to star in the series. During this time, Davis resided at the lovely LaBrea Apartments in Hollywood, California. Recalling her work on the "Alice" films, Virginia said, "It was a great time--full of fun, adventure, and let's pretend. I adored and idolized Walt, as any child would. He would direct me in a large manner with great sweeping gestures. One of my favorite pictures was Alice's Wild West Show. I was always the kid with the curls, but I was really a tomboy, and that picture allowed me to act tough. I took great joy in that!"
Over the next 20 years, she went on to work at other Hollywood Studios as a child actress and, later, as a supporting actress. She sang, danced, and acted in such films as Flying Down to Rio, Vivacious Lady, Young and Beautiful, College Holiday, Song of the Islands, Three on a Match, The Harvey Girls and Weekend in Havana, among others. On several occasions, she used the screen name Mary Daily, and appeared in such films as Hands Across the Rockies with cowboy star Bill Elliott. During her Hollywood tenure, she also occasionally worked for her old boss, Walt Disney, did a vocal test for Snow White, voiced some supporting characters in Pinocchio and served a short stint in the Disney Studio's Ink-and-Paint Department. In 1943, she married Navy aviator Robert McGhee, and the couple had two daughters. During their 59-year marriage, they resided in New Jersey, Connecticut, Southern California, and Idaho. Over a 25-year period, Virginia worked as a real estate agent mostly in the Irvine, California and Boise, Idaho areas.
Virginia was always in contact with Walt Disney and on occasion she spent time with the Disney Family and she really enjoyed many times with her family at Disneyland in Anaheim. Charles Elias Disney stayed in contact with Virginia for the rest of her life! She was always quite gracious and Virginia would recall those early days in Kansas City and when she and her parents moved to California. In 1988, Virginia received a Disney Legends Award for Animation. She passed from this life on August 15, 2009 in her California home.
Over the next 20 years, she went on to work at other Hollywood Studios as a child actress and, later, as a supporting actress. She sang, danced, and acted in such films as Flying Down to Rio, Vivacious Lady, Young and Beautiful, College Holiday, Song of the Islands, Three on a Match, The Harvey Girls and Weekend in Havana, among others. On several occasions, she used the screen name Mary Daily, and appeared in such films as Hands Across the Rockies with cowboy star Bill Elliott. During her Hollywood tenure, she also occasionally worked for her old boss, Walt Disney, did a vocal test for Snow White, voiced some supporting characters in Pinocchio and served a short stint in the Disney Studio's Ink-and-Paint Department. In 1943, she married Navy aviator Robert McGhee, and the couple had two daughters. During their 59-year marriage, they resided in New Jersey, Connecticut, Southern California, and Idaho. Over a 25-year period, Virginia worked as a real estate agent mostly in the Irvine, California and Boise, Idaho areas.
Virginia was always in contact with Walt Disney and on occasion she spent time with the Disney Family and she really enjoyed many times with her family at Disneyland in Anaheim. Charles Elias Disney stayed in contact with Virginia for the rest of her life! She was always quite gracious and Virginia would recall those early days in Kansas City and when she and her parents moved to California. In 1988, Virginia received a Disney Legends Award for Animation. She passed from this life on August 15, 2009 in her California home.
Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck was a longtime close personal friend with Meredith Disney. Both friends were born exactly three months apart and they would often jokingly tell friends they were "twins!" She was an accomplished film and television star, known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional with a strong, realistic screen presence, and a favorite of film directors including Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang and Frank Capra. After a short but notable career as a stage actress in the late 1920s, she made 85 films in 38 years in Hollywood, before turning to television.
Barbara enjoyed making films and she would always be prepared before she went before the cameras, and she was able to show so much passion and energy in each role she played throughout her illustrious career! Orphaned at the age of four and partially raised in foster homes, by 1944 Stanwyck had become the highest-paid woman in the United States. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best four times for Stella Dallas (1937), Ball of Fire (1941), Double Indemnity (1944) and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948). For her television work, she won three Emmy Awards, for The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1961), The Big Valley (1966) and The Thorn Birds (1983).
Many of her roles involved strong characters. In Double Indemnity, Stanwyck brought out the cruel nature of the "grim, unflinching murderess," marking her as the "most notorious femme" in the film noir genre. Yet, Stanwyck was known for her accessibility and kindness to the backstage crew on any film set. She knew the names of their wives and children. Frank Capra said of Stanwyck: "She was destined to be beloved by all directors, actors, crews and extras. In a Hollywood popularity contest she would win first prize hands down! She made 84 films.
Earl Hamner, Jr. (producer of The Waltons) had initially wanted Stanwyck for the lead role of Angela Channing on the 1980's soap opera Falcon Crest, but she turned it down and the role went to her best friend, Jane Wyman.
Brabara's life was filled with so many successes and it would require many more paragraphs to adequately and justly honor all of her accomplishments throughout her lifetime! She was a devout Roman Catholic and a conservative Republican. Stanwyck's retirement years were active, with charity work outside the limelight and she particularly enjoyed visiting the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles often with Meredith Disney, Lilly Disney, Rosalind Russell, and Jane Wyman, four of her dearest friends across many years. She also was most generous giving much of her wealth to a Catholic orphanage and a Catholic Monastery in the Hollywood Hills.
Barbara passed away on January 20, 1990 of congestive heart failure at age 82 at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. In accordance with Barbara's wishes, her remains were cremated and the ashes scattered over Lone Pine, California, where she had made some of her western films.
Barbara enjoyed making films and she would always be prepared before she went before the cameras, and she was able to show so much passion and energy in each role she played throughout her illustrious career! Orphaned at the age of four and partially raised in foster homes, by 1944 Stanwyck had become the highest-paid woman in the United States. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best four times for Stella Dallas (1937), Ball of Fire (1941), Double Indemnity (1944) and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948). For her television work, she won three Emmy Awards, for The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1961), The Big Valley (1966) and The Thorn Birds (1983).
Many of her roles involved strong characters. In Double Indemnity, Stanwyck brought out the cruel nature of the "grim, unflinching murderess," marking her as the "most notorious femme" in the film noir genre. Yet, Stanwyck was known for her accessibility and kindness to the backstage crew on any film set. She knew the names of their wives and children. Frank Capra said of Stanwyck: "She was destined to be beloved by all directors, actors, crews and extras. In a Hollywood popularity contest she would win first prize hands down! She made 84 films.
Earl Hamner, Jr. (producer of The Waltons) had initially wanted Stanwyck for the lead role of Angela Channing on the 1980's soap opera Falcon Crest, but she turned it down and the role went to her best friend, Jane Wyman.
Brabara's life was filled with so many successes and it would require many more paragraphs to adequately and justly honor all of her accomplishments throughout her lifetime! She was a devout Roman Catholic and a conservative Republican. Stanwyck's retirement years were active, with charity work outside the limelight and she particularly enjoyed visiting the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles often with Meredith Disney, Lilly Disney, Rosalind Russell, and Jane Wyman, four of her dearest friends across many years. She also was most generous giving much of her wealth to a Catholic orphanage and a Catholic Monastery in the Hollywood Hills.
Barbara passed away on January 20, 1990 of congestive heart failure at age 82 at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. In accordance with Barbara's wishes, her remains were cremated and the ashes scattered over Lone Pine, California, where she had made some of her western films.
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter or Charlton John Carter on October 4, 1923). He was an American actor and political activist. As a very popular top Hollywood star, he appeared in 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film, The Ten Commandments (1956), for which he received his first Golden Globe Award nomination. He also starred in Touch of Evil (1958) with Orson Welles. Ben-Hur (1959), for which he won the Academy Award® for Best Actor, El Cid (1961), and Planet of the Apes (1968). Among many others, he also starred in the films The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Secret of the Incas (1954), and The Big Country (1958). Charlton was a favorite of famed director Cecil B. DeMille and both men were very close personal friends across many years.
Charles Elias Disney was quite fond of and a longtime fan of Charlton Heston and he was able to spend some quality time with him after being introduced by DeMille on the set of The Greatest Show on Earth. Charles Elias and his mother, who was Meredith A. Disney, and as guests of DeMille, visited the set of The Ten Commandments where both of them witnessed the actual filming of some of the greatest scenes in this most epic and great film! And in later years both were able to meet Fraser Clarke Heston, Charlton's son, who portrayed the infant Moses in The Ten Commadments so many years earlier. Also both met Charlton's wife who was Lydia Heston and they socialized together with the Heston's on several occasions. On March 18, 2001, Charlton, Lydia and Fraser were celebrated in the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood for a showing of the 1956 The Ten Commandments and later that year Charlton Heston was on hand for a special showing of the epic 1959 Ben-Hur and an elaborate question and answer session from the stage of the famed Hollywood Egyptian Theater!
A supporter of Democratic politicians and civil rights in the 1960s, Heston later became a Republican, founding a conservative political action committee and supporting Ronald Reagan. Heston's most famous role in politics came as the five-term president of the National Rifle Association, from 1998 to 2003. After being diagnosed with Alzhyeimer's disease in 2003, he retired from both acting and the NRA presidency. Heston passed away on April 5, 2008, at age 84, from pneumonia.
Charles Elias Disney was quite fond of and a longtime fan of Charlton Heston and he was able to spend some quality time with him after being introduced by DeMille on the set of The Greatest Show on Earth. Charles Elias and his mother, who was Meredith A. Disney, and as guests of DeMille, visited the set of The Ten Commandments where both of them witnessed the actual filming of some of the greatest scenes in this most epic and great film! And in later years both were able to meet Fraser Clarke Heston, Charlton's son, who portrayed the infant Moses in The Ten Commadments so many years earlier. Also both met Charlton's wife who was Lydia Heston and they socialized together with the Heston's on several occasions. On March 18, 2001, Charlton, Lydia and Fraser were celebrated in the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood for a showing of the 1956 The Ten Commandments and later that year Charlton Heston was on hand for a special showing of the epic 1959 Ben-Hur and an elaborate question and answer session from the stage of the famed Hollywood Egyptian Theater!
A supporter of Democratic politicians and civil rights in the 1960s, Heston later became a Republican, founding a conservative political action committee and supporting Ronald Reagan. Heston's most famous role in politics came as the five-term president of the National Rifle Association, from 1998 to 2003. After being diagnosed with Alzhyeimer's disease in 2003, he retired from both acting and the NRA presidency. Heston passed away on April 5, 2008, at age 84, from pneumonia.
Charlton Heston was truly one of the greatest actors of all time!
Charlton Heston as Moses parting of the Red Sea in Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" in 1956
Charlton Heston was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Moses in Cecil B. DeMille's epic 1956 film "The Ten Commandments!" Of course, Charlton was recognized as Best Actor of the Year when he received his Academy Award Oscar® for his portrayal of Judah Ben-Hur in the 1959 epic film "Ben-Hur!" As with every role Charlton Heston portrayed, he "became" the character he was playing, and as a result, he was truly one of the most believable and successful actors of all time! And a longtime personal friend!"
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney
Charles Elias Disney & Daniel H. Disney
Yul Brynner
Yul Brynner (born Yuliy Borisovich Briner, Russian: Юлий Борисович Бринер;) July 11, 1920. He was a Russian-born Swiss film and stage actor.
Brynner was best known for his portrayal of King Mongkut of Siam in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I, for which he won two Tony Awards and an Academy Award for the film version. He played the role 4,625 times on stage. He also starred as Ramesses II in the 1956 Cecil B. DeMille blockbuster The Ten Commandments, and played General Bounine in the 1956 film Anastasia, and the gunman Chris Adams in The Magnificent Seven.
Brynner was noted for his distinctive voice and for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it in 1951 for his role in The King and I. Earlier, he was a model and television director, and later a photographer and the author of two books.
Brynner was best known for his portrayal of King Mongkut of Siam in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I, for which he won two Tony Awards and an Academy Award for the film version. He played the role 4,625 times on stage. He also starred as Ramesses II in the 1956 Cecil B. DeMille blockbuster The Ten Commandments, and played General Bounine in the 1956 film Anastasia, and the gunman Chris Adams in The Magnificent Seven.
Brynner was noted for his distinctive voice and for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it in 1951 for his role in The King and I. Earlier, he was a model and television director, and later a photographer and the author of two books.
Meredith Disney, Yul & Kathy Lee Brynner, Charles Elias and Daniel H. Disney. This was in May of 1985 and Brynner passed away on October 10, 1985
The Disney's with the Brynners! Following a performance of The King and I starring Yul Brynner and Kathy Lee Brynner, Meredith A. Disney, Daniel H. Disney and Charles Elias Disney visited with the Brynner's backstage. This was a very happy reunion for Yul Brynner and Meredith and Charles Elias as these were very longtime friendships dating back to their first meeting on the set during the filming of Cecil B. DeMille's epic film production of "The Ten Commandments" in 1955.
Loretta Young
Loretta Young was a lifetime close friend to Meredith A. Disney. Both were devout Roman Catholics and enjoyed promoting the same Catholic and other worthy philanthropy across many years! Loretta Young was admired by Hollywood insiders and outsiders across many generations. She was one of the most accomplished actresses in Hollywood history! Loretta starred in many, many films and television shows, and her "The Loretta Young Show" was a Sunday evening favorite to millions of families across America. She won an Oscar for her role in "The Farmer's Daughter" and she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Come to the Stable." Loretta was such a genuinely kind and generous friend across so many years.
David, Harriet, Ozzie & Ricky Nelson
The Ozzie and Harriet Nelson Family were one of the most unique and talented and beloved families in the history of Hollywood! Ozzie and Harriet and sons David and Ricky were lifetime entertainers, from stage to radio to television, to films, to live performances! Charles Elias Disney and Ricky (Eric Hilliard) Nelson were the same age and close lifetime friends right up to the time when Rick passed away as the result of a private plane mishap in De Kalb, Texas on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1985. Harriet Nelson and Meredith Disney were very close friends and enjoyed playing bridge regularly. David Nelson was also very multifaceted. and among other entertainment endeavors, for many years he was actively associated with LodeStar Pictures with Meredith Disney, Charles Elias Disney and Daniel H. Disney.
The Nelson’s were really a unique family both collectively and individually and they achieved so much success across so many years. Ozwald (Ozzie) George Nelson and Harriet Hilliard Nelson were both lifetime noted talented musicians. Ozzie was an American band leader, actor, and television director and producer. Harriet was a singer and actress. The Nelson's together first emerged on the American scene with their weekly radio show: "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriett." And later their very popular TV show by the same name! The Nelson’s had a positive impact on American culture for many generations! Ricky Nelson was featured on the cover of Life Magazine on Dec. 1, 1958.
In 1957, Charles Elias Disney, still a teenager himself, helped convince Ozzie to prevail with his personal connections with MCA (Music Corporation of America) so that Ricky would audition and cut his first record that fast became the # 1 album entitled "Ricky.". This led to Ricky becoming Rick and becoming a most successful recording artist with many very popular records/albums to follow. And, of course, as they say: "The rest is history!"
Charles Elias Disney looks back on the life of his close and dear friend Rick Nelson, and he reminiscences: "Rick was always happy and I loved him as well as his brother and mom and dad. Rick always kept in touch with me, even when he gained so much fame as a most popular and successful singer. I visited him on the set when he was filming "Rio Bravo" with John Wayne and Dean Martin in 1959. Ricky traveled with me to Minnesota a couple of times and we really enjoyed fishing, swimming, and hiking and camping in the forests near Crosslake, Minnesota and we would go on up into the Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness regions of Minnesota and this is a stunning and beautiful 1,090,000 acrea wilderness area within the Superior National Forest.
The last time I spoke to Rick was two days before he passed away. I will never forget him! And I really do miss him because we enjoyed such wonderful experiences together as boys...!" Rick passed away on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1985 in DeKalb, Texas. He was 45! To be certain, Rick Nelson and Charles Elias Disney were very close friends and they were actually only 131 days apart in their actual ages! Rick was born on May 8, 1940 and Charles Elias was born on September 13, 1940!
The Nelson’s were really a unique family both collectively and individually and they achieved so much success across so many years. Ozwald (Ozzie) George Nelson and Harriet Hilliard Nelson were both lifetime noted talented musicians. Ozzie was an American band leader, actor, and television director and producer. Harriet was a singer and actress. The Nelson's together first emerged on the American scene with their weekly radio show: "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriett." And later their very popular TV show by the same name! The Nelson’s had a positive impact on American culture for many generations! Ricky Nelson was featured on the cover of Life Magazine on Dec. 1, 1958.
In 1957, Charles Elias Disney, still a teenager himself, helped convince Ozzie to prevail with his personal connections with MCA (Music Corporation of America) so that Ricky would audition and cut his first record that fast became the # 1 album entitled "Ricky.". This led to Ricky becoming Rick and becoming a most successful recording artist with many very popular records/albums to follow. And, of course, as they say: "The rest is history!"
Charles Elias Disney looks back on the life of his close and dear friend Rick Nelson, and he reminiscences: "Rick was always happy and I loved him as well as his brother and mom and dad. Rick always kept in touch with me, even when he gained so much fame as a most popular and successful singer. I visited him on the set when he was filming "Rio Bravo" with John Wayne and Dean Martin in 1959. Ricky traveled with me to Minnesota a couple of times and we really enjoyed fishing, swimming, and hiking and camping in the forests near Crosslake, Minnesota and we would go on up into the Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness regions of Minnesota and this is a stunning and beautiful 1,090,000 acrea wilderness area within the Superior National Forest.
The last time I spoke to Rick was two days before he passed away. I will never forget him! And I really do miss him because we enjoyed such wonderful experiences together as boys...!" Rick passed away on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1985 in DeKalb, Texas. He was 45! To be certain, Rick Nelson and Charles Elias Disney were very close friends and they were actually only 131 days apart in their actual ages! Rick was born on May 8, 1940 and Charles Elias was born on September 13, 1940!
Ozzie Nelson with sons David & Ricky Nelson (1941)
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Rick Nelson (1965)
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Ricky Nelson fishing in Crosslake, Minnesota with lifetime close friend Charles Elias Disney (1960)
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Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with 200 million records sold worldwide. She released seven studio albums and two soundtrack albums, all of which have been certified diamond, multi-platinum, platinum, or gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Houston's crossover appeal on the popular music charts—as well as her prominence on MTV, starting with her video for "How Will I Know"—influenced several African-American women artists who followed in her footsteps. Houston is the only artist to have seven consecutive number one Billboard Hot 100 songs. Her self-titled debut album (1985) became the best-selling debut album by a woman in history.
Whitney was a longtime friend to Charles Elias Disney and he visited the set when "The Bodyguard" was being filmed with Kevin Costner. She was always kind and generous with everyone! Whitney began to sing in her Baptist Church as a young girl and her voice was recognized worldwide because she sang with such passion and such sincerity!
Whitney Houston was such a multi-talented lady and she received acclaim as one of the greatest entertainers of all-time! Whenever she performed in live venues, the tickets would sell-out within hours and her audience always called for more of her singing even after her two to three hour performances! It is simply impossible to even begin to recognize the majority of Whitney's accolades and honors--there are just so many! She was a wonderful and gracious lady and she helped many, many people throughout her lifetime. Whitney passed from this life on February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.
Whitney was a longtime friend to Charles Elias Disney and he visited the set when "The Bodyguard" was being filmed with Kevin Costner. She was always kind and generous with everyone! Whitney began to sing in her Baptist Church as a young girl and her voice was recognized worldwide because she sang with such passion and such sincerity!
Whitney Houston was such a multi-talented lady and she received acclaim as one of the greatest entertainers of all-time! Whenever she performed in live venues, the tickets would sell-out within hours and her audience always called for more of her singing even after her two to three hour performances! It is simply impossible to even begin to recognize the majority of Whitney's accolades and honors--there are just so many! She was a wonderful and gracious lady and she helped many, many people throughout her lifetime. Whitney passed from this life on February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.
Dolores & Bob Hope
Bob and Dolores Hope were two of the kindest friends to Meredith and Charles Elias Disney across over 50 years! Bob was a vaudeville comedian and film actor and radio and TV headliner for over 75 years. He was one of the most generous entertainers of all time and he helped many “beginners” to stardom throughout his entire life. Bob funded countless charities! He and close friend Bing Crosby made a series of “Road Pictures” at Paramount Pictures as well as many other starring films. He was tireless in his desire to entertain our troops, often in harm’s way, during W.W. II, Korea, Vietnam, and other military areas. His repertoire was so vast that space does not allow for us to fully present so much of his lifetime endeavors! To be certain, Bob Hope was in a class to himself and a lifetime good and close friend! Quite often we like to think about Bob and Dolores. Their generosity was second to none! Bob's films and numberless television shows will always entertain future generations. A famous street in Burbank bears his name, Bob Hope Drive. The Burbank Airport is named the Bob Hope Airport. In memory of his mother, Avis Townes Hope, Bob and Dolores Hope gave the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. a chapel, the Chapel of Hope. Bob passed away on July 27, 2003. He was 100.
Dolores Hope was a wonderful singer in her own right and she made many beautiful recordings. Dolores recorded many of her longtime favorite songs following the passing of Bob Hope. Her generosity and faithfulness to her Roman Catholic Faith was quite admirable because she always was willing to assist so many Church endeavors as well as countless other charities. She and Bob were substantial donors to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles and countless other worthy philanthropy and many, many charities throughout their lifetimes! Both Dolores and Bob were close friends to Roger Cardinal Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles. It is almost impossible to adequately outline the vast amount of endeavors of helping others the Hopes were involved with! Dolores passed away on September 19, 2011. She was 102.
Dolores Hope was a wonderful singer in her own right and she made many beautiful recordings. Dolores recorded many of her longtime favorite songs following the passing of Bob Hope. Her generosity and faithfulness to her Roman Catholic Faith was quite admirable because she always was willing to assist so many Church endeavors as well as countless other charities. She and Bob were substantial donors to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles and countless other worthy philanthropy and many, many charities throughout their lifetimes! Both Dolores and Bob were close friends to Roger Cardinal Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles. It is almost impossible to adequately outline the vast amount of endeavors of helping others the Hopes were involved with! Dolores passed away on September 19, 2011. She was 102.
Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby’s (Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby) bass-baritone voice was also in a class unto himself! He was one of the most successful recording artists of all time! His "White Christmas" album is still a leading seller generation after generation! Bing was so successful not only in music but in film where he won an Academy Award for his role as Father Chuck O’Malley in “Going My Way ” in 1944 and was nominated for the sequel role for “The Bells of St. Mary’s ” in 1945. He was the first of four actors to be nominated for again playing the same role. He made a series of hugely successful “Road Pictures” with Bob Hope at Paramount Pictures and so many other varied films throughout his lifetime. He has three stars on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame for motion pictures, radio, and audio recording. He generously performed for our troops during W.W. II and he was an inventor of electronic systems. Bing was a lifelong friend to Raymond, Meredith and Charles Elias Disney. As a special gift, he even sang his iconic "White Christmas" for one of Meredith's birthday celebrations in the famous Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel many years ago! Bing Crosby passed away on October 14, 1977. He was 74.
Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette Anna MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (The Love Parade, Love Me Tonight, The Merry Widow and One Hour With You) and Nelson Eddy (Naughty Marietta, Rose-Marie, and Maytime). During the 1930s and 1940s she starred in 29 feature films, four nominated for Best Picture Oscars (The Love Parade, One Hour with You, Naughty Marietta and San Francisco), and recorded extensively, earning three gold records. She later appeared in opera, concerts, radio, and television. MacDonald was one of the most influential sopranos of the 20th century, introducing opera to movie-going audiences and inspiring a generation of singers. Jeanette and Meredith Disney were good friends for many years. Both shared their love for classical opera and in general "musicals!" When Jeanette was in Hollywood, very often she and Meredith would attend social gatherings together with their mutual friend Rosalind Russell. Jeanette passed away on January 14, 1965.
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara was a longtime close friend to Meredith Disney. Meredith always said that Maureen maintained such a beautiful complexion and that her hair was the most beautiful red color. She had such a pleasant sense of humor and always saw the good in everyone she met. Maureen was a very successful actress across many years. She was a true Irish Lady having been born in Ireland. Her film roles were so varied and with each role she presented such a convincing character. The famously red-headed O'Hara was noted for playing fiercely passionate heroines with a highly sensible attitude. She often worked with director John Ford and longtime friend John Wayne. Director John Ford, who cast her as Angharad in How Green Was My Valley which won the 1941 Academy Award for Best Picture Six years later, in 1947, she made what is perhaps her best-remembered film, starring as Doris Walker and the mother of a young Natalie Wood in 20th Century Fox's Miracle on 34th Street, which, despite being released in May, has become a perennial Christmas classic, with a traditional network television airing every Thanksgiving Day on NBC. The film also helped to further establish O'Hara's career after the film garnered several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Picture. Maureen supported many charities including the Sisters of Mercy and she was a devout Roman Catholic throughout her life. She passed from this life on October 24, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. She was 95.
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor and dancer, both on stage and in film, though he had his greatest impact in film. James was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. His active career spanned from 1919-1984. He won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth among its list of greatest male stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema. Orson Welles said of Cagney, "[he was] maybe the greatest actor who ever appeared in front of a camera," and Stanley Kubrick considered him to be one of the best actors of all time. James really was one of the most versatile actors of all time! Perhaps the film Meredith Disney and millions of others loved the most was when he played composer George M. Cohan in 1942 in Yankee Doodle Dandy, the role that won him an Oscar for Best Actor! He was able to bring so much raw energy to each role he appeared in including his live stage appearances. His "gangster" roles were stunning and often shocking because as with every role, he put so much energy and he was so "believable!" Meredith Disney socialized with James and his wife Frances on several occasions and she always said that James was always the perfect host and gentleman and that he and Frances loved to be in California even when James was not in a film project.
He was a very kind and generous man and his Roman Catholic Faith was paramount in his entire life. He supported many Catholic charities and he supported the retired actors hospital for many years. Cagney also made numerous morale-boosting troop tours before and during World War II, and was president of the Screen Actors Guild for two years. Cagney died at his Dutchess County farm in Stanfordville, New York, on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1986, of a heart attack. He was 86 years old. A funeral Mass was held at Manhattan's St. Franci deSales Roman Catholic Church. The eulogy at the funeral was given by his close friend, who was also the President of the United States at the time, Ronald Reagan. His pallbearers included the boxer Floyd Patterson, the dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov (who had hoped to play Cagney on Broadway), actor Ralph Bellamy, and the director Miloš Forman. Cagney was entombed in a crypt in the Garden Mausoleum at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorn, New York. James Cagney passed away on March 30, 1986. He was 86.
He was a very kind and generous man and his Roman Catholic Faith was paramount in his entire life. He supported many Catholic charities and he supported the retired actors hospital for many years. Cagney also made numerous morale-boosting troop tours before and during World War II, and was president of the Screen Actors Guild for two years. Cagney died at his Dutchess County farm in Stanfordville, New York, on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1986, of a heart attack. He was 86 years old. A funeral Mass was held at Manhattan's St. Franci deSales Roman Catholic Church. The eulogy at the funeral was given by his close friend, who was also the President of the United States at the time, Ronald Reagan. His pallbearers included the boxer Floyd Patterson, the dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov (who had hoped to play Cagney on Broadway), actor Ralph Bellamy, and the director Miloš Forman. Cagney was entombed in a crypt in the Garden Mausoleum at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorn, New York. James Cagney passed away on March 30, 1986. He was 86.
Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza was such a wonderful melodious tenor and successful Hollywood movie actor. Mario was one of the greatest tenors of all time! He was even considered by many as one of the “greatest singers” of the 20th Century! Mario was a devout Roman Catholic and his renditions of "The Lord's Prayer" and "Ave Maria" were sung so majestically and with such heart-felt emotion! He was a close personal friend to Meredith and Charles Elias Disney. He was most generous and quite gracious and kind to everyone. Mario’s life was cut short at age 38 with serious heart problems. Mario's music and films continue to inspire and to entertain to this day! “The Great Caruso” was perhaps his greatest film, and "The Seven Hills of Rome" featured many of Mario's famous songs, and “For the First Time” [I'm in Love] was also a wonderful and memorable feature as well as so many other marvelous feature films! Often, Mario's rendition of "Ave Maria" was very often featured in his films! In the Risen Christ Mausoleum where he is entombed in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, his iconic music can often he heard ever so softly in the background, and this is quite comforting for those who come to the mausoleum to visit and to pray and even to mourn, and to honor family and friends! Mario passed away on October 7, 1959. He was 38.
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. known professionally as John Denver, was an American musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, activist, actor, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer, starting in the 1970s. He was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the decade and one of its best-selling artists. By 1974, he was firmly established as America's best selling performer, and AllMusic has described Denver as "among the most beloved entertainers of his era"and his continued success was because people really related to and loved his music! After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. Denver recorded and released approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he composed, with total record sales of over 33 million. We became good friends in 1987 when he was filimg "Foxfire" which was a very special Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie that also starred Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn. John's lovely song "You Fill Up My Senses" (Annie's Song) is one of our favorites and the lyrics speak to so many sentimental, deep, and worthy emotions. Denver starred in films and several other notable television specials in the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to record in the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues by lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. He lived in Aspen, Colorado for much of his life and was known for his love of Colorado which he sang about numerous times. In 1974 Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its two state songs in 2007. Denver was an avid pilot and passed away at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash of his personal experimental aircraft, in Monterey Bay, California on October 12, 1997. He was 53.
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was a longtime close friend to both Daniel H. Disney and Charles Elias Disney. Tony was always kind and professional and he engaged everyone in his conversations. Tony served proudly in the U. S. Military and he often spoke of his experiences in the service. Curtis was the father of actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis by his first wife, actress Janet Leigh. He was one of the most successful actors in Hollywood history. He acted in more than 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama. Some of his most memorable roles include "Sweet Smell of Success," "The Defiant Ones," and "Some Like it Hot" with co-stars Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe; this film is considered one of the funniest films of all time by the American Film Institute! Other major films starring Tony included "Operation Petticoat" with Cary Grant and "Spartacus" with Kirk Douglas. His last major film when he portrayed Albert DeSalvo as "The Boston Strangler." Daniel and Charles Elias enjoyed Tony's company and on several occasions the friends would meet at Muzzo & Frank Grill in Hollywood for lunch or dinner. The final time Daniel and Charles Elias saw Tony was at Paramount Pictures for the memorial service for mutual good friend Jack Lemmon on August 13, 2001. When Tony saw Daniel and Charles Elias he opened his arms and gave both guys a big hug and said: "I sure have missed seeing you guys, we need to do lunch in Beverly Hills in the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel," another favorite place for the three friends! Sadly, this last meeting and lunch/dinner never occurred! Daniel said: "Time and busy schedules can sometimes keep close friends apart! Really, sad!" Tony passed away on September 29, 2010. He was 85.
Richard D. Zanuck
Richard Darryl Zanuck was a wonderful lifetime close friend. Charles Elias Disney and his late Mother Meredith Disney were close friends with Richard for many, many years. Richard was kind and genuine to everyone! Richard helped many film creators to achieve great successes and he was a fine and sincere example to all of his personal friends and business associates. His great success was built on his ability to really understand all facets of the film making industry as well as anyone in history! His word was truly his bond! Richard was fun to spend time with and he always was happy and insightful! His father was the late Darryl F. Zanuck, the co-founder of the great 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. along with William Fox and Joseph M. Schenck. Richard was involved in each film project bringing great insight and experience from the original inception and writing to actual filming and on to studio screenings and marketing and on to American and World Premieres! Richard passed away on July 13, 2012. He was 97.
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was a good close friend for a number of years! Charles Elias Disney and Daniel H. Disney first met Michael at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California in the spring of 1998. Michael loved and admired Walt Disney and everything associated with Disney! Michael Jackson was one of the most talented and really successful entertainers in the 20th Century and on into the 21st Century! He first began to sing and dance with his brothers in his family ensemble known as the Jackson Five. He was the youngest member of the group comprised of his older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon. His parents are Joe and Katherine Jackson. Michael was a multi-talented entertainer but to us he was simply a good friend and the times we were able to spend with him were special experiences. He invited us to his 2,800 acre Neverland Ranch located near Los Olives, California on several occasions and on each visit both of us really enjoyed his very kind and sincere hospitality. The world-renowned success of Michael was quite astounding and since he said he considered both of us among some of his good, close, and personal friends, we won't elaborate on his almost countless triumphal successes! We will leave these relevant statistics to historians! He was considered as one of the greatest entertainers of all time! "HE WAS, to be certain!" One of the final times we were to spend an entire day with Michael was in the summer of 2002 when he asked us to accompany him to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Michael was a great admirer of President and Mrs. Reagan! While we did not have many more opportunities to personally spend a long period with Michael, we did speak with him on the phone on several occasions.
The final time we did spend personal time with Michael Jackson was when we sat together for the funeral Mass for the great actor Gregory Peck on Monday, June 17, 2003 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown, Los Angeles. Following the Funeral Mass, we accompanied Michael for a buffet in the California Club and each one of us recalled so many wonderful and even happy and joyful times we had spent together across the years! It was always fun to hear Michael laugh! We particularly remember Michael asking us about Heaven and did each one of us believe we would enter Heaven. As Roman Catholics, he wanted us to explain our beliefs so he could more clearly understand the Catholic understanding of Heaven and Eternity and this was obviously really very important to him. Very often both of us remember our kind and genuinely generous friend we loved very dearly, and we do miss him and wish we could have spent even more time with Michael, and continue to be, as he would state: "His very good longtime close friends!" Michael passed away on June 25, 2009. He was 50.
The final time we did spend personal time with Michael Jackson was when we sat together for the funeral Mass for the great actor Gregory Peck on Monday, June 17, 2003 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown, Los Angeles. Following the Funeral Mass, we accompanied Michael for a buffet in the California Club and each one of us recalled so many wonderful and even happy and joyful times we had spent together across the years! It was always fun to hear Michael laugh! We particularly remember Michael asking us about Heaven and did each one of us believe we would enter Heaven. As Roman Catholics, he wanted us to explain our beliefs so he could more clearly understand the Catholic understanding of Heaven and Eternity and this was obviously really very important to him. Very often both of us remember our kind and genuinely generous friend we loved very dearly, and we do miss him and wish we could have spent even more time with Michael, and continue to be, as he would state: "His very good longtime close friends!" Michael passed away on June 25, 2009. He was 50.
First Lady Nancy Reagan & Pop Star Michael Jackson & President Ronald Reagan (1984) Michael Jackson was quite fond of President and Mrs. Reagan!
Karl Malden
Karl Malden was a longtime friend and he was always so kind and such a gentleman. Malden was primarily a character actor who "for more than 60 years brought an intelligent intensity and a homespun authenticity to roles in theater, film and television," especially in such classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire (for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), On the Waterfront, Pollyanna, and One-Eyed Jacks. Malden later played in high-profile Hollywood movies such as Baby Doll, How the West Was Won, and Patton as well as appearing on U.S. television as Lt. Mike Stone on the 1970s crime drama, The Streets of San Fransisco and as the spokesman for American Express. Film and culture critic Charles Champlin described Malden as "an everyman, but one whose range moved easily up and down the levels of society and the IQ scale, from heroes to heavies and ordinary, decent guys just trying to get along," and at the time of his death Malden was described as "one of the great character actors of his time" who created a number of "powerhouse performances on screen." Malden was also President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1988 to 1993. On December 18, 1938, Malden married Mona Greenberg (born 1918), who survives him. Their marriage was one of the longest in Hollywood's history, lasting nearly 71 years. Malden’s wife, Mona, the former Mildred Greenberg, graduated from Roosevelt High School in Emporia, Kansas where she attended Kansas State Teachers College, now Emporia State University. He first visited the campus with her in 1959 and was impressed by the ESU Summer Theatre. He returned in the summer of 1964 to teach, working with the actors in the company. Upon leaving, he gave his honorarium to establish the Karl Malden Theater Scholarship that is still given today. One of our favorite films starring Karl was Twilight Time where Karl's true character shows through and his intensity as a great and believable actor! The last time we were to see Karl and Mona was at Dan Tana's Italian Restaurant in West Hollywood in 1989 where we all enjoyed a scrumptious spaghetti and meatballs dinner! A most memorable evening, to be certain! Karl passed away on July 1, 2009. He was 97.
Kate Smith
Kathryn Elizabeth Smith was born May 1, 1907 in the nation's capital. From an early age she loved to sing and dance. She performed locally in theatres and at nightclubs and was discovered by a New York City show producer in 1926. She was featured in the musical comedy Honeymoon Lane on Broadway and later in Hit the Deck and Flying High. She was discovered in 1930 by Columbia Records vice president Ted Collins, who became her partner and manager and who put her on the radio in 1931. She was an immediate success on the air and she soon broke the record for longevity at the legendary Palace Theatre. In 1932 she had a cameo role in Paramount's The Big Broadcast. Then she starred in her own movie, Hello Everybody!, with co-stars Randolph Scott and Sally Blane. In 1943 she sang “God Bless America” in the Irving Berlin picture This is the Army. Her theme song was When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain, whose lyrics she helped write. Irving Berlin regarded the song she made most famous, God Bless America, as his most important composition. Kate predicted, in 1938, that the song would still be sung long after all of us are gone - and it surely will! Kate was a longtime close friend to Meredith A. Disney and when Kate was in Los Angeles in later years, she often was a guest in Meredith's home!
She had the most popular radio variety hour, The Kate Smith Hour, which aired weekly from 1937-45. At the same time she had the No. 1 daytime radio show, the midday Kate Smith Speaks, a news and commentary program. In 1950 Kate entered television with a Monday-Friday afternoon variety show, The Kate Smith Hour (1950-54). It proved so popular that NBC gave her a prime-time show on Wednesday evenings, The Kate Smith Evening Hour. Her last TV series was CBS's The Kate Smith Show, a weekly half-hour musical series in 1960. She made many guest appearances on top TV shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, The Jack Paar Show, ABC Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Andy Williams Show, The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show, and The Donny & Marie Show.
During the last decade of her career Kate gave dozens of live concerts in various American cities. In 1972-73 she had extended engagements at the largest nightclub in the Reno area, giving two shows each day. Kate ended her career on a high note. She became singing good-luck charm for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team with her renditions of God Bless America, helping to inspire them to two successive Stanley Cups (1974 and 1975). In 1976 she was named Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California. Fittingly, the last song she sang was that Irving Berlin anthem on a bicentennial special just before July 4, 1976. She passed away in Raleigh, NC, June 17, 1986. She was 79.
She had the most popular radio variety hour, The Kate Smith Hour, which aired weekly from 1937-45. At the same time she had the No. 1 daytime radio show, the midday Kate Smith Speaks, a news and commentary program. In 1950 Kate entered television with a Monday-Friday afternoon variety show, The Kate Smith Hour (1950-54). It proved so popular that NBC gave her a prime-time show on Wednesday evenings, The Kate Smith Evening Hour. Her last TV series was CBS's The Kate Smith Show, a weekly half-hour musical series in 1960. She made many guest appearances on top TV shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, The Jack Paar Show, ABC Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Andy Williams Show, The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show, and The Donny & Marie Show.
During the last decade of her career Kate gave dozens of live concerts in various American cities. In 1972-73 she had extended engagements at the largest nightclub in the Reno area, giving two shows each day. Kate ended her career on a high note. She became singing good-luck charm for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team with her renditions of God Bless America, helping to inspire them to two successive Stanley Cups (1974 and 1975). In 1976 she was named Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California. Fittingly, the last song she sang was that Irving Berlin anthem on a bicentennial special just before July 4, 1976. She passed away in Raleigh, NC, June 17, 1986. She was 79.
Franz Furtner "Unus"
Franz Furtner aka The Great Unus was a good and close and longtime friend to Charles Elias Disney and his dad and mom for many years. He was born on October 19, 1907 in Eichgraben, a small town northeast of Austria. He immigrated to the United States and became a U. S. Citizen in 1951. Franz known as “The Great Unus” was a one-of-a-kind athletic-performer and an unmatched equilibrist. He was able to balance himself completely on his right forefinger and he was the very popular center ring star with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for several years. Later on he performed with the Shrine Circuses nationwide and he stayed with the Shrine Circus routes for many years until the end of his performing career! He was also featured on many television variety shows including The Ed Sullivan Show. His picture was included in a Life Magazine feature on July 30, 1956 about the end of the "big top" circus tent show and actually "the end of an era!"
Charles Elias stated: "Franz actually did exactly what is shown. He DID balance himself on his right forefinger with and without his glove, and I witnessed this incredible feat up very close and in person many, many times! This has always been one of the most astonishing presentations I have ever seen in my entire life!" Franz had perhaps the greatest body balance with perfect equilibrium of all time!
Charles Elias first met Franz and his wife Valentina ("Viva") when he was introduced to them at the Ararat Shrine Circus in Kansas City, Missouri in 1952. Valentina assisted Franz (Unus) with each of his live performances! Franz and Charles Elias enjoyed visiting and when Franz and Valentina enjoyed an evening dinner party hosted by the Disney and Fisher families at the very luxurious Eddy's Restaurant & Nightclub at 13th & Baltimore Avenue in downtown Kansas City and they invited Charles Elias to sit at their table for the evening. This was a very exciting time for Charles Elias and for the remainder of the Shrine Circus displays that week, he got to spend time with Franz and Viva for each performance!
For many years both friends corresponded and when Franz and his wife Valentina (“Viva”) retired to Sarasota, Florida, they invited Charles Elias to visit which he did visit on several occasions. Franz and Viva had opened an elegant motor hotel resort and a dramatic neon sign at the entrance featured Franz as Unus standing on his forefinger! Quite a dramatic sign display to say the least! Franz and Viva had four wonderful children: Nina, Victoria, Jennifer and Franz, Jr.
Franz Furtner (Unus) made his American debut on April 5, 1948 at Madison Square Garden in New York. He was featured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the center ring in a three-ring display of hand balances, but the printed program was unequivocal as to who was the star act there: “Flushed with a succession of European triumphs, but shy of an American venture, only John Ringling North's persuasion brings to America for the first time the upside-down-gravity defying, equilibrium wonder, the debonair, incredible Unus, the man who balances on his forefinger.”
Franz was very charitable and he donated countless live performances of his forefinger feats to help many organizations, especially for the Shriner's Hospitals for Children. He lived out his life keeping in close contact with his worldwide friends. Charles Elias Disney will always cherish the friendship he shared with Franz and Viva and their four children. Franz passed away at his Florida home on August 22, 1994. He was 86.
Charles Elias stated: "Franz actually did exactly what is shown. He DID balance himself on his right forefinger with and without his glove, and I witnessed this incredible feat up very close and in person many, many times! This has always been one of the most astonishing presentations I have ever seen in my entire life!" Franz had perhaps the greatest body balance with perfect equilibrium of all time!
Charles Elias first met Franz and his wife Valentina ("Viva") when he was introduced to them at the Ararat Shrine Circus in Kansas City, Missouri in 1952. Valentina assisted Franz (Unus) with each of his live performances! Franz and Charles Elias enjoyed visiting and when Franz and Valentina enjoyed an evening dinner party hosted by the Disney and Fisher families at the very luxurious Eddy's Restaurant & Nightclub at 13th & Baltimore Avenue in downtown Kansas City and they invited Charles Elias to sit at their table for the evening. This was a very exciting time for Charles Elias and for the remainder of the Shrine Circus displays that week, he got to spend time with Franz and Viva for each performance!
For many years both friends corresponded and when Franz and his wife Valentina (“Viva”) retired to Sarasota, Florida, they invited Charles Elias to visit which he did visit on several occasions. Franz and Viva had opened an elegant motor hotel resort and a dramatic neon sign at the entrance featured Franz as Unus standing on his forefinger! Quite a dramatic sign display to say the least! Franz and Viva had four wonderful children: Nina, Victoria, Jennifer and Franz, Jr.
Franz Furtner (Unus) made his American debut on April 5, 1948 at Madison Square Garden in New York. He was featured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the center ring in a three-ring display of hand balances, but the printed program was unequivocal as to who was the star act there: “Flushed with a succession of European triumphs, but shy of an American venture, only John Ringling North's persuasion brings to America for the first time the upside-down-gravity defying, equilibrium wonder, the debonair, incredible Unus, the man who balances on his forefinger.”
Franz was very charitable and he donated countless live performances of his forefinger feats to help many organizations, especially for the Shriner's Hospitals for Children. He lived out his life keeping in close contact with his worldwide friends. Charles Elias Disney will always cherish the friendship he shared with Franz and Viva and their four children. Franz passed away at his Florida home on August 22, 1994. He was 86.
UNUS (Franz Furtner) standing on his forefinger (left) without his formal attire and (right) on the lighted sphere in a live circus performance
(Not photoshopped in any manner). "This was one of the most astounding performances ever presented!" ...Charles Elias Disney
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UNUS (Franz Furtner) & wife Valentina Furtner as he is standing on his forefinger on a lighted sphere
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UNUS (Franz Furtner) balances on his cane on top of a lighted sphere in 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri
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To see Unus in his live performance, copy & paste into your browser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0sSGI9gkWQ
Ethel Barrymore
Ethel Mae Barrymore was a very longtime friend to Meredith Disney. Ethel always called Meredith “My much younger sister!” They shared many mutual interests in film and religious endeavors. Often, they were "The last one's laughing" as they found innocent humor in so many everyday circumstances! Ethel was such an elegant and refined lady, to say the least!
Ethel was one of the greatest stage and film actresses of all time! She came from a long line of actors. Her brothers were Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore. She was the aunt of John Drew Barrymore and the great-aunt of current actress Drew Barrymore. She was also a granddaughter of actress and theater manager Louisa Lane Drew and the niece of Broadway matinee idol John Drew, Jr. and early Vitagraph Studios movie star Sidney Drew.
Her wit and humor were unmatched and quite genuine and she was always able to portray each character in every role with deep conviction and believably. She was such a natural and she approached each new role determined to make the role her "Best role!"
Ethel was a very loving lady who put her family first and in light of her great celebrity she insisted on spending quality time with her children each day. Ethel Barrymore married Russell Griswold Colt (1882–1960). The couple had three children: Samuel Colt (1909–1986) a Hollywood agent; Ethel Barrymore Colt (1912–1977), a Hollywood actress and singer who appeared on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Follies; and John Drew Colt (1913–1975) who became an actor.
Ethel Barrymore was a devout Roman Catholic and she was mostly a conservative in her political convictions. She was very charitable and was very generous including with various church endeavors. She enjoyed watching boxing matches. Ethel really loved attending the Los Angeles Symphony, often with Lillian and Meredith Disney. She was a great admirer of Walt Disney and she did make it to Disneyland in 1956 and she said of the experience: "I really loved to see all of the happy families enjoying their time together!"
She lived for many years in New York as she appeared in and starred in many Broadway stage performances and she was also a radio personality and appeared in many television performances. After she became a stage star, she would often dismiss adoring audiences who kept demanding curtain calls by saying "That's all there is---there isn't any more!" The Shubert's opened and dedicated a live theater in New York to Ethel and to this day is known as The Ethel Barrymore Theater.
She was in so many wonderful films including The Spiral Staircase, The Red Danube, It's a Big Country, The Story of Three Loves, Young at Heart and her final film which was Johnny Trouble made in 1957. She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her dramatic role in None But the Lonely Heart, opposite of Cary Grant. Ethel was in fifteen silent films and in twenty-three talking films! Many of her earlier films were made in New York and her later films mostly made at Metro in Los Angeles.
Ethel Barrymore passed away on June 18, 1959, at her home in Hollywood, California, after having lived for many years with a heart condition. She was less than two months shy of her 80th birthday. She was entombed in the family mausoleum in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in East Los Angeles, California. Ethel was 79.
Ethel was one of the greatest stage and film actresses of all time! She came from a long line of actors. Her brothers were Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore. She was the aunt of John Drew Barrymore and the great-aunt of current actress Drew Barrymore. She was also a granddaughter of actress and theater manager Louisa Lane Drew and the niece of Broadway matinee idol John Drew, Jr. and early Vitagraph Studios movie star Sidney Drew.
Her wit and humor were unmatched and quite genuine and she was always able to portray each character in every role with deep conviction and believably. She was such a natural and she approached each new role determined to make the role her "Best role!"
Ethel was a very loving lady who put her family first and in light of her great celebrity she insisted on spending quality time with her children each day. Ethel Barrymore married Russell Griswold Colt (1882–1960). The couple had three children: Samuel Colt (1909–1986) a Hollywood agent; Ethel Barrymore Colt (1912–1977), a Hollywood actress and singer who appeared on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Follies; and John Drew Colt (1913–1975) who became an actor.
Ethel Barrymore was a devout Roman Catholic and she was mostly a conservative in her political convictions. She was very charitable and was very generous including with various church endeavors. She enjoyed watching boxing matches. Ethel really loved attending the Los Angeles Symphony, often with Lillian and Meredith Disney. She was a great admirer of Walt Disney and she did make it to Disneyland in 1956 and she said of the experience: "I really loved to see all of the happy families enjoying their time together!"
She lived for many years in New York as she appeared in and starred in many Broadway stage performances and she was also a radio personality and appeared in many television performances. After she became a stage star, she would often dismiss adoring audiences who kept demanding curtain calls by saying "That's all there is---there isn't any more!" The Shubert's opened and dedicated a live theater in New York to Ethel and to this day is known as The Ethel Barrymore Theater.
She was in so many wonderful films including The Spiral Staircase, The Red Danube, It's a Big Country, The Story of Three Loves, Young at Heart and her final film which was Johnny Trouble made in 1957. She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her dramatic role in None But the Lonely Heart, opposite of Cary Grant. Ethel was in fifteen silent films and in twenty-three talking films! Many of her earlier films were made in New York and her later films mostly made at Metro in Los Angeles.
Ethel Barrymore passed away on June 18, 1959, at her home in Hollywood, California, after having lived for many years with a heart condition. She was less than two months shy of her 80th birthday. She was entombed in the family mausoleum in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in East Los Angeles, California. Ethel was 79.
Sir Charles "Charlie" Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer (Charlie) Chaplin was a longtime close personal friend and he assisted Walt and Roy O. Disney at a very critical time in the early years of Walt Disney Productions. Without Charlie’s personal assistance and his direct and frank intervention with RKO Radio Pictures in 1937, Disney's classic feature animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” very likely would never have enjoyed the much deserved original full domestic and world-wide theatrical distribution and exhibition. He insisted RKO would treat Walt and Roy Disney exactly the same way the studio distributed his own films! "Charlie Chaplin and Walt Disney truly were both genuinely creative geniuses, and in their own respective lifetimes!" When Walt was a youngster growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, he often dressed up and imitated Charlie. In later years, both became very good and close friends!
Meredith Disney and Charlie Chaplin were longtime friends and Meredith was a guest for many lovely parties and celebrations Charlie hosted in his mansion in Hollywood. Charlie created the majority of his own film work from imagining, writing, producing, music composition, acting, and directing every scene and through to actual film marketing!
Charlie, along with close friends actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., actress Mary Pickford, and film maker D. W. Griffith founded the original United Artists Pictures Corporation in Hollywood on February 5, 1919. Charlie was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, thus, "Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin." He received several Academy Awards (Oscars) for his films. Charlie's iconic character "The Little Tramp" entertained millions and millions of movie goers across many years! Truly, one of Charlie's greatest films was "The Great Dictator." Charlie was really a genuine Hollywood original and he was a "sweet and sincere friend" who advanced the careers of many, many actors and others in Hollywood! He did so many wonderful things to help the less fortunate and he did these things with anonymity! Charlie passed away in Corsier-sur-Vevey, District de la Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut, Vaud, Switzerland, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1977. He was 88.
Meredith Disney and Charlie Chaplin were longtime friends and Meredith was a guest for many lovely parties and celebrations Charlie hosted in his mansion in Hollywood. Charlie created the majority of his own film work from imagining, writing, producing, music composition, acting, and directing every scene and through to actual film marketing!
Charlie, along with close friends actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., actress Mary Pickford, and film maker D. W. Griffith founded the original United Artists Pictures Corporation in Hollywood on February 5, 1919. Charlie was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, thus, "Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin." He received several Academy Awards (Oscars) for his films. Charlie's iconic character "The Little Tramp" entertained millions and millions of movie goers across many years! Truly, one of Charlie's greatest films was "The Great Dictator." Charlie was really a genuine Hollywood original and he was a "sweet and sincere friend" who advanced the careers of many, many actors and others in Hollywood! He did so many wonderful things to help the less fortunate and he did these things with anonymity! Charlie passed away in Corsier-sur-Vevey, District de la Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut, Vaud, Switzerland, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1977. He was 88.
Pencil sketch rendering showing Walt Disney thanking Charlie Chaplin for his personal intervention with RKO Radio Pictures insisting the Studio would in fact distribute Walt Disney's Classic animated feature film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" for Walt and Roy
in 1937...
"Family & Friends DO Make a Difference..."