Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney Co’s (NYSE:DIS) icon, is celebrating his 88th birthday today.
Here are a few fun facts about Mickey Mouse to celebrate his birthday with.
- The Disney icon first showed up in Steamboat Willie on Nov. 18, 1928.
- Walt Disney originally planned to name him “Mortimer Mouse.”
- However, his wife stepped in and suggested the name Mickey Mouse instead.
- While he debuted in Steamboat Willie he was the lead in two short made before the film, but they weren’t released until after it.
- The original shorts with the character had animation that was based off of actor Charlie Chaplin.
- His first speaking role was in 1929’s The Karnival Kid.
- The Opry House, which was also released in 1929, was the first time the character sported his signature white gloves.
- He first showed up in color during the 1939 short The Band Concert.
- The character has an expanded family of over 20 cousins, uncles, nephews and grandparents.
- Walt Disney Co’s icon made his first live action appearance during the Mickey Mouse Idea stage show in Los Angeles on March 12, 1931.
- The Mickey Mouse watch was first released in June 1933 and sold more than 2.5 million units in its first two years.
- The watch was so popular that it was added to 1939 World’s Fair in New York time capsule.
- Walt Disney created Oswald the rabbit in 1927, but lost the copyright to him. The train ride home after this was when he came up with the idea for Mickey Mouse.
You can learn more fun facts about Walt Disney Co’s Mickey Mouse by following these links.
