March 28, 1910 – Host of The Mickey Mouse Club and Disney Legend Jimmie Dodd is Born
“Why? Because we like you!”
On March 28, 1910, Jimmie Dodd was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gifted with musical talent, Dodd attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville before attending the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the Schouster-Martin School of Dramatics. He supported himself with various music gigs, starting with performing for a radio show in St. Petersburg, Florida. While unable to fight during World War II due to a heart condition, Dodd made his contribution to the war effort through performances with the USO along with wife, dancer Ruth Carroll. It was during his USO stint that he met Jinx Falkenburg, who was instrumental in giving Dodd his first television appearance on Arthur Godfrey’s program; he later appeared on Falkenburg’s own program. Dodd’s career with Disney began in the 1950s, when he was asked by old friend Bill Justice to help compose a song for Disney’s television program. Walt was so impressed with Dodd’s song that he hired Dodd to be the MC for a new children’s program: The Mickey Mouse Club. Dodd not only performed on the show, but wrote several songs for it, including the “Mickey Mouse Club March.” Dodd stayed with the show until its cancellation in 1959, and then accompanied several cast members on a Mickey Mouse Club tour of Australia. On November 10, 1964, Dodd passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii. For his work with The Mickey Mouse Club, Dodd was honored as a Disney Legend in 1992.
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