New! Now available on Amazon disney book collection

Going all the way back to Walt Disney’s humble beginnings creating animated shorts in the 1920s, Disney has continued to make magic not just on the silver screen but in parks and resorts across the globe. From cinematic innovations to cutting-edge theme park attractions, the world that Disney creates continues to enchant fans, young and old, to this day.   None of this would be possible without the efforts of a group of very talented people, including Imagineers, animators, songwriters, voice artists, and behind-the-scenes executives. Many of these individuals have been honored by their inclusion in the Disney Legends Program, which The Walt Disney Company established in 1987.

Since its inception, over 300 people have been named Disney Legends, with the list growing every year. This anthology collection is from a column I write for Celebrations Magazine. These biographies were originally written between 2017 and 2021.

Highlights Include:

·  Multi-talented voice artists Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor, who respectively voiced Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

·  Imagineering icons John Hench, Harper Goff, and Tony Baxter.

·  Musical artists such as Richard and Robert Sherman, who collaborated on timeless songs from the Disney’s mid-century timeframe and beyond.

·  Animators and artists from various eras of The Walt Disney Company, including Eyvind Earle, Floyd Norman, Glen Keane, and Herb Ryman.

·  Harrison Price, who identified the parcels of property for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

·  George Lucas, who created the expansive universe of Star Wars that still resonates with fans, young and old.

Written for Disney fans, casual or captivated, this book brings many unknown facts of Disney personnel to light.

Whether informal or devoted, fans of the Disney brand and company understand that the world Walt created emanates from Burbank, Glendale and Anaheim, California, Orlando, Florida, Paris, France, Tokyo, Japan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, China.

It takes the discipline and talent to achieve the lofty goals that Walt set for his company. Animators, illustrators, voice artists, singers and songwriters and under-the-radar executives to maintain and elevate the Disney level of quality that demonstrably grew, from animated shorts in the 1920’s to cutting edge, interactive theme park attractions in the 2020’s.

The direct result of Disney’s “best of the best” is the Disney Legends Program. The Walt Disney Company established the Legends program in 1987. To date, 304 men and women have been named Disney Legends.

This anthology collection is from a recurring column I write for Celebrations magazine. These biographies were originally written between 2012 and 2016. 

Highlights Include:

·  Muti-talented voice artists Paul Frees and Sterling Holloway, who respectively voiced the Haunted Mansion’s Ghost Host and Winnie the Pooh.

·  Imagineering icons Marc and Alice Davis, for their work in animation, costume design and Disney theme park attractions.

·  Musical artists such as Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman who collaborated on timeless songs from the Disney animation renaissance.

·  Pixar co-founder Steve Jobs

·  Television stars, in front of and behind the camera, that extended the Disney voice to television sets across the country.

·  The talented men who brought Donald Duck to life, giving Disney an exciting new character that could explore personality dynamics that Mickey Mouse couldn’t do as the unofficial representation of the Disney company.

·  Several members of Walt’s vaunted Nine Old Men, his prestigious collection of character animators that largely defined the Disney animation style.

Written for Disney fans, casual or captivated, this book brings many unknown facts of Disney personnel to light.