July 30, 1907 – “Big Moosketeer,” Animator, and Disney Legend Roy Williams is Born
“Walt knew I loved kids…that’s why he put me on a kids’ show. I’m a down-to-earth guy, but I never dreamed of the kind of pleasure that working with those kids brought me. “
On July 30, 1907, Roy Williams was born in Colville, Washington. His family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended Freemont High School, and was hired by the Walt Disney Studios. He first animated shorts during the day, attending Chouinard Art Institute at night, and would later develop story ideas. He was also known as a publicity representative, as well as a popular caricaturist at Disneyland. Through his career, he developed a reputation as a talented and funny artist, which caught the attention of Walt Disney, who hired him as one of the hosts of the Mickey Mouse Club. Williams also created the Mickey Mouse Ears that the kids wore, based on a Mickey Mouse short film where Mickey removed his ears to greet Minnie. Although Williams couldn’t sing or dance, he was popular thanks to humor and warmth. Williams stayed with the studio until the 1970s, and passed away on November 7, 1976. He was inducted into the Disney Legends in 1992.
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