Disney understands the power of true legends. In the decades since the entertainment giant was founded, Disney has released dozens of adaptations of popular fairy tales, mythological heroes, and even epics, creating some of the most popular films in Hollywood history. I did. Over the years, countless urban legends have surfaced about Disney parks and classics, but the most fascinating one may actually be true. Surrounding the death of the company’s iconic founder, Walt Disney.
Many of these rumors gained attention after Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966 at the age of 65. At that time, the spirit behind one of the most successful media businesses in history came to an abrupt end after a battle with lung cancer. An avid futurist with fantastic visions often encourages viewers to reach beyond the limits of realitymany fans could not believe this was the end of the animator’s story, and the most popular theory was that Disney’s body was cryogenically frozen for a future resurrection. But perhaps the most interesting legend surrounding Walt Disney’s death concerns none other than Wyatt Earp himself. Kurt Russell. There’s a story that the Disney founder’s last words involved a Hollywood superstar. What on earth did Walt Disney say about Kurt Russell?
Walt Disney left a note with Kurt Russell’s name on it
In late 1966, the Disney founder’s health began to seriously deteriorate. Employees at the company reported that their supervisor’s voice became hoarse at the same time Disney was hospitalized several times for treatment after a tumor was discovered in his left lung. However, the true story of Walt Disney at this time was also A story about a man who is extremely busy with upcoming movie releases. And the development of Disney World in Orlando, the last thing this mogul wrote before his final hospitalization was a list of names scrawled in the founder’s signature red grease pen at the bottom of the television production page. And of all the people from all over the world who could appear on this list, who else should appear but future stars? john carpenter’s The Thing?
One of the reasons this legend is so fascinating is the fact that it is very dramatic. The coincidence of one Hollywood legend referencing another in his final moments Sounds like a heartwarming ending to a Disney movie itself.But the truth is a little more complicated. In fact, the details of this last-minute note are so authentic that they were even included in a recreation of Disney’s offices on display at Disney World starting in 2001. Each story is different. In fact, the note itself has an annoying misspelling, with Russell’s first name written as “Kurt,” a humbling moment on which this popular Disney legend is based.
In an interview with Huffington Post, Kurt Russell revealed this strange story.
“A few years after he died, they took me into his office and this woman – I don’t think she was his secretary, but maybe she was. I don’t understand–pointed. [something he wrote] “Do you know what that is?” she said. And I said, “No, that’s not true.”[She said]“Because he wrote something after that. But he stood up again and wrote your name. That was the last thing he wrote. ”And I said, I don’t know what that has to do with anything. ”
Kurt Russell himself has gone on record to maintain his belief in the legend. disney archivist dave smith maintain it as well He was the first to show Russell the notes in 1970.Russell instead explains that he was shown the note by a woman who may have been Disney’s secretary, but that she also went back to write Russell’s name after Disney had already created the initial list. clearly claimed. However, while this late addition may seem to have come out of nowhere to those unaware of Russell’s past involvement in Disney’s early days, it is important to note that he was included in Disney’s final thoughts. What is said to be This is a testament to their deep personal history.
Walt Disney was impressed with Kurt Russell from day one
Due to the veteran actor’s long history and close collaboration in Western films, Quentin Tarantino in Hateful Eight and death proofalmost It’s hard to imagine that Kurt Russell was once a newcomer to the movie industry. Over the years, the star’s wild and cheerful personality has shined through in children’s films such as: sky high Everything from ’80s action movies to ’90s thrillers took a dark turn, but every great career needs a starting point, and Russell couldn’t have had a better teacher. Russell first got excited about meeting Disney when he was just 13 years old, and it was his first time since Russell’s performance in a 1966 Disney movie. Follow me, boys!the founder was so impressed that Disney signed Russell to a 10-year contract when the future star was still a teenager.. However, far from maintaining a purely commercial relationship, Disney’s admiration for the young actor soon led to a close mentoring relationship between the two.
In addition to coaching Russell and teaching him the future. escape from new york Stars depicting every corner of Hollywood in the 1960s. Disney and Russell were reportedly close on a personal level as well.Russell explained that the two often played ping pong during lunch while the Disney founder asked him questions to probe inside the child’s mind. Additionally, the Mickey Mouse creator reportedly granted Russell special access to studio projects in the early days of their collaboration, giving him sneak peeks at Disney movies in development and early drawings of characters in production. It is being Tragically, Russell would later learn that his partnership with the movie mogul was ended by Disney’s death. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters The actor had filmed early Westerns for the company of Mentor, but nevertheless, The veteran animator was a clear supporter of Russell’s success from an early age.
The importance of this advocacy cannot be underestimated, given the contract that Disney negotiated for Russell. A young star is steadily landing high-profile jobs at a pivotal point in his burgeoning career.. Disney’s death that same year prevented the two from working directly on Russell’s subsequent studio films, but Russell used what they learned to become popular throughout the next decade with Disney films such as 1969. The iconic animator’s guidance clearly paid off, as he won. The computer was wearing tennis shoes and in 1971 barefoot executive. Russell succeeded in 1979, but elvis Despite finally showing a desire to grow out of his time at Disney, the actor returned to the studio to play the voice of Copper in the 1981 animated classic. fox and hound And Russell later spoke of his love for his mentor. amy booth green and Howard E. Green’s 1999 biography, Reminds me of Walt.
Russell explains in the book that he was “appreciated for the time.” [he] After Dreamer passed away, he shared more with Walt than ever before. He emphasized the influence Disney had on his early experiences in Hollywood. Russell also details what the aging animator meant to him in their final days together.
“For me, Walt was someone who was always conscious of what would be fun to do, not necessarily something cutting-edge or unusual or something that would surprise people. Wouldn’t that be fun?’
Will we ever learn the truth behind Walt Disney’s last words?
With such a professional history in mind, it’s no wonder Disney had Kurt Russell in mind at the time of his death. As the new favorite of the television and film industry, Russell’s star began to rise at the same time Disney’s health began to declineAnd the fact that Disney still scribbled Russell’s name in his final moments shows respect for his class. tombstone Performers. As for what Disney meant by including Russell in this memo, we’ll never guess his exact intentions, but at the top of the page it says, “TV Projects in Production: Ready for Production or Escalation and Story Possibilities.” ”, suggesting that Disney is considering Russell for a Disney television series. And while it’s impossible to know when Disney wrote Russell’s name on that page, the anecdote still stands The film highlights a short-lived but powerful partnership between two of Hollywood’s biggest names.
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He let the spirits guide him.
In the aftermath of such a symbolic loss, it’s no surprise that Walt Disney’s colleagues would try to make meaning out of the death of the company’s beloved founder, and the company’s most beloved The idea of getting one last glimpse of the mind behind the film is undeniable. I’m intrigued. The temptation to romanticize the last moments of a founder’s life The notes themselves are also responsible for various explanations, and another common hypothesis is that Disney’s last words were actually “CIA-Mobley” written at the bottom of his notes, possibly Some say it is a reference to child actors. Roger Mobley. But speculation aside, the story of Disney’s last words will ultimately serve to highlight its creator’s legacy and the nurturing of young talents like Kurt Russell. Sometimes legends can mean more to the world than the bitter end of reality.
Follow me, boys! Available to rent on Prime Video in the US
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