Sad news this morning that Tony Curtis has died at the age of 85. Disney fans will remember his movie “40 Pounds of Trouble” from 1962, which featured a great chase scene filmed inside Disneyland. I like to watch it for the continuity errors. Here… Read More »Tony Curtis RIP
I was very sad to hear that Glenn Shadix died after a fall in his home. He was best known as Otho from Beetlejuice, but had many memorable roles, including a number for Disney. Shadix’s performance as Gertrude Stein in a stage play was spotted… Read More »Glenn Shadix RIP
Walt, CV Wood, and Buzz Price discuss the location of Disneyland.
Some would say that Harrison “Buzz” Price played as big a role in the success of Disneyland as Walt himself. After all, if Buzz hadn’t figured out the ideal location to build Disneyland, it might have floundered as a studio tour add-on, or been misplaced too far from what would eventually become the demographic center of Southern California, Anaheim. Buzz repeated that trick 20 years later when helping narrow down the final location of what was to become Walt Disney World.
We learned today that Buzz died after an illness at the age of 89. Buzz was a Disney Legend and continued to impact the theme park industry with his numbers based research.
In the last few years Buzz became a regular fixture at industry events like IAAPA or NFFC. His humor, wit, and feisty attitude were memorable and enduring. He was living history, not just a connection to the past, but a great insight into today and the future as well. A giant empty spot exists now.
The full obituary released by the family is below the jump:
Read More »Buzz Price, Disneyland Location Researcher, Dead at 89
Disney Legend Art Linkletter died at his home at the age of 97, according to the LA Times. Linkletter’s career started on radio in 1944 and then he made the move to TV in the 50s and 60s. A close friend of Walt Disney, Linkletter… Read More »Disney and TV Legend Art Linkletter dead at 97
Roy Edward Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, has died at the age of 79. Known recently as the architect of two share holder revolts that saved the Walt Disney Company (one from a takeover and one from the ruin of Michael Eisner), Roy E. was… Read More »Roy E Disney, twice savior of his uncles company, dies
The first time I saw Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor was at Disneyland in the early 90s. They were set up outside of the Plaza Inn doing radio interviews. Although later in life they were much skinnier, at this point they were ‘larger’ than the average person. Wayne had this amazing full beard (which was very out of place in the park). It was a little chilly out and they were dressed in matching plaid outfits. Thinking this was some form of celebrity appearance I hadn’t seen before, I stuck around to see what was going on. A few minutes later I was surprised to hear two very familiar mousey voices coming out of these two large people, it was Mickey Mouse and Minnie.
It was almost a decade before I really got to talk with Wayne and Russi and hear them speak at length. In the meantime they had gotten married (in 1997 to each other in Hawaii) and continued to do amazing work both for the Disney company and other projects. Turns out, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer couple of people then Wayne and Russi. They were always happen to meet with fellow Disney fans and spin a tale or two of their experiences as Mickey and Minnie.
Wayne was trained as a sound effects guy and foley artist by one of the best in the business, Jimmy MacDonald. Along the way he learned to do Mickey’s Voice from Jimmy, who himself took over from Walt. Wayne first did Mickey’s voice in 1977 as a lead in voice over for the New Mickey Mouse Club and had his first feature animated voice work for 1983’s “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”
I recall one anecdote Wayne told at an NFFC event, he had asked Jimmy MacDonald for some advice about doing Mickey’s voice and Jimmy said “remember, you’re just filling in for the boss.”
In 2008 Wayne and Russi were named Disney Legends in a ceremony at the studios. Recently Wayne had been combating complications related to diabetes and was said to be in need of a kidney transplant. Sadly he passed away May 18th as a result of his illness. Official confirmation was made on his Disney Legend bio.
I like to think that now all three voices of Mickey Mouse are reunited somewhere discussing the affect that one little character had on their lives and on the world. Our lives are all richer for their efforts.
Everyone here at The Disney Blog wishes peace and condolences to Russi and the rest of Wayne’s family.
(below the cut is a video of Wayne and Russi talking about their roles and Mickey and Minnie)
Read More »Wayne Allwine, Voice of Mickey Mouse & Disney Legend, 1947-2009
Fans of Walt Disney World and the musicians whose talent lends so much to the magic experience of millions of Guests will be sad to hear of the passing of Grayson Dunlap Wells. In addition to composing a piece for the Soarin’ attraction opening at… Read More »Disney composer Grayson Wells, 39, has died
Note: Disney has released this obituary for Harriet Burns. I’ve included it in full here. Harriet Burns, Disney Legend and Veteran Imagineer For More Than 31 Years, Dies at 79 Helped to Create Classic Attractions For Disneyland and 1964 New York World’s Fair Harriet Burns,… Read More »Harriet Burns, Official Disney Obituary