Everyone’s favorite mouse turns 86 today! Can you believe it? He hasn’t aged a day! Walt Disney’s best friend and ticket to greatness has filled homes with joy throughout more than eight decades so today, we celebrate Mickey and all the fun facts that are behind the funny rodent we all love. His creator used to say Mickey was what he loved most because he was so relatable: “When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity.”
1. Walt initially named Mickey Mouse “Mortimer,” until Walt’s wife, Lily, suggested “Mickey” was a better choice. Mortimer ended up being the name of a new character — Mickey's rival.
2. When penning Mickey’s movements, early animators drew inspiration from popular comedic film stars of the day – like Charlie Chaplin.
3. Mickey became an instant hit on November 18, 1928 with the release of ‘Steamboat Willie’, the first ever cartoon with synchronized sound.
4. The creation of Mickey Mouse earned Walt Disney an honorary Academy Award in 1932.
5. Throughout Mickey's career, he's worn a total of 175 outfits! (Minnie's worn over 200!)
6. Walt Disney wasn’t satisfied with the first few actors chosen to provide a voice for Mickey Mouse, so he did it, and continued to do so through about 1947.
7. The first words Mickey ever spoke in a cartoon were: "hot dogs!"
8. The first piece of Mickey Mouse merchandise was a tablet of paper that featured the mouse, designed for children.
9. The first Mickey Mouse doll was designed in 1930.
10. Mickey was given his own entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1934.
11. Mickey is estimated to be 2 ft. 3 inches tall and to weigh approximately 23 pounds!
12. Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which was given on his birthday (November 18) in 1978.
13. When Walt was contemplating a name for his first theme park (Disneyland park), he once considered calling it “Mickey Mouse Village.”
14. Mickey Mouse only has four fingers, but did you know there are two reasons behind it? The first was that Disney believed five fingers were too many for a mouse. The second was to save the company money!
15. In 1955, Mickey made his debut on television in The Mickey Mouse Club television show.
16. Walt Disney has said that Mickey and Minnie are married — but only in private. They've never had an on-screen wedding. But the man and woman that voiced Minnie and Mickey actually were married IRL!
And as for Mickey Mouse and his creator, Walt Disney’s quotes, these were our picks for the special day: "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."
"To Laugh At Yourself Is To Love Yourself." – Mickey Mouse
"Live Every Moment As Not To Regret What You Are About To Do." - Mickey Mouse
“I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known.” Walt Disney
"Arithmetic Is Being Able To Count Up To Twenty Without Taking Off Your Shoes." – Mickey Mouse
"Mickey Mouse is, to me, a symbol of independence. He was a means to an end." – Walt Disney.
"Don't Stress Over Anything You Can't Change." – Mickey Mouse
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