December 19, 1925 – March 6, 2012
Even if you don’t know the name Robert Sherman, you CERTAINLY know his and his brother’s contribution to American popular culture. Any devoted Disney fan could rattle off a laundry list of songs that Robert and Richard Sherman wrote:
“Chim Chim Cher-ee”
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
“I Wan’na Be like You”
“The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers”
“The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room”
“It’s a Small World (After All)”
…and that’s just a sample. Continue reading
March 24, 1901 – July 7, 1971
Here’s a simple question: Would there be a Walt Disney without Ub Iwerks?
Here’s a complicated answer: Yes…but probably not the Disney we know today.
Ubbe Eert “Ub” Iwerks was close friends with Walt dating back to their days in Kansas City as struggling artists. Iwerks was at Disney’s side through ALL of the early milestones: Laugh-O-Gram, the financial struggles, the move to Los Angeles, the creation of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit…the LOSS of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Universal, and the creation of a mouse by the name of “Mickey.” Iwerks served as the chief animator for Disney. His ability to draw and animate quickly coupled with his quirky sense of humor made him an invaluable asset to the fledgling entertainment empire. Ub’s style can be prominently displayed in the legendary Mickey short, Steamboat Willie, which he animated in its entirety. Continue reading
July 6, 1918 – August 22, 1977
Of course, I could very easily base most of this write up on English actor Charles Sebastian Thomas Cabot’s most famous role: that of valet Mr. French on the classic CBS sitcom Family Affair (opposite permanent neighbor, Brian Keith). But, I would rather devote my energy to his stunning turn as Bagheera, the wise panther in Disney’s 1967 masterpiece The Jungle Book. Without the centered and stoic Bagheera, who knows what would have become of the movie’s hero, Mowgli the mancub. Would he have succumbed to the lackadaisical and hapless ways of Baloo, doomed to drift through life without purpose or vision? Would he have been forced to unwillingly hand the secret of fire over to the likable, but dangerous King Louie? Even if he managed to evade these pitfalls, he most CERTAINLY would have been eaten by Kaa. But no, it was Cabot’s Bagheera who steered the young boy safely toward his destiny. And for that, we thank you, Sebastian. Continue reading
August 30, 1908 – November 5, 1991
Frederick Martin MacMurray’s nearly 50-year career was about as successful and varied as any you will find. Throughout the 1930’s and ’40’s, MacMurray brought his talents from the stage to some of the most popular films of the era. He worked with everyone from Humphrey Bogart to Katharine Hepburn. His films with iconic director, Billy Wilder, (including the ultimate film noir Double Indemnity and the quintessential comedy The Apartment) became Hollywood classics. MacMurray later worked on a number of Disney live-action films like The Shaggy Dog and The Absent-Minded Professor while also landing what is possibly his most recognizable role (to folks under the age of 50 anyway): Steven Douglas, the father on the long-running TV sitcom My Three Sons.
December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966
“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” – Walt Disney
Walt Disney may have one of the most recognizable names in all of Hollywood history. The fledgling newspaper illustrator in Kansas City, Missouri turned his passion for drawing characters into an entertainment empire the likes of which has few equals. It was, of course, his somewhat accidental creation of Mickey Mouse that jettisoned Walt into the limelight. Continue reading
May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002
Peggy Lee (born Norma Deloris Egstrom) was a popular vocalist, actress and songwriter known for her hit recordings “Fever” and “Why Don’t You Do Right” (made famous by Jessica Rabbit) among others. She was also a prolific lyricist and songwriter having written dozens of songs for many top composers and musicians. Lee spent several years as the singer in Benny Goodman‘s orchestra. She also wrote songs for – and voiced four characters in – the Disney classic animated film Lady and the Tramp and is said to be the inspiration for the Muppet, Miss Piggy. Continue reading
October 20, 1935 – December 28, 2004
Despite a prolific career both on and Off-Broadway, Jerry Orbach was probably best known for his work as Lt. Lennie Briscoe on NBC’s Law & Order…or, more likely, as Baby’s father in 1987’s Dirty Dancing. He was also, for those that care, the voice behind everyone’s favorite singing and dancing candlestick, Lumière, in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
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