Walt Disney: A Pioneer of Imagination (1901–1966)

Walt Disney is famous around the world for pioneering the animation industry and creating a global entertainment empire that continues to define childhood for millions.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 5, 1901. Although he never formally finished high school, he showed an early aptitude for drawing, attending art classes at McKinley High School and later the Kansas City Art Institute.

He was a very successful film-maker, who created iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and revolutionized the industry with the first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Apart from making films, he was also famous for creating the world's first major theme park, Disneyland, in 1955, and holds the record for the most Academy Awards won by an individual (22).

Disney had four brothers and sisters. He and his wife, Lillian, had two children. He died in Burbank, California, on December 15, 1966. The Walt Disney Studios continued to flourish after his death, ensuring his creative vision and legacy live on across the world.