Roy O. Disney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roy O. Disney
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Disney in 1965
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| Co-founder and First CEO of The Walt Disney Company | |
| In office 1929–1971 |
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| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Donn Tatum |
| President of The Walt Disney Company | |
| In office 1945–1968 |
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| Preceded by | Walt Disney |
| Succeeded by | Donn Tatum |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Roy Oliver Disney
June 24, 1893 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 20, 1971 (aged 78) Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Edna Francis
(m. 1925) |
| Relations | See Disney family |
| Children | Roy E. Disney |
| Parents |
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| Occupation | Entertainment industry executive |
Roy Oliver Disney (June 24, 1893 – December 20, 1971) was an American businessman. He helped start The Walt Disney Company. Roy was the older brother of Walt Disney and the father of Roy E. Disney.
Contents
Who Was Roy O. Disney?
Growing Up: Roy's Early Life
Roy was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney. His family moved to Marceline, Missouri, and later to Kansas City in 1911.
In Kansas City, Roy and his brother Walt worked as newspaper delivery boys. They delivered papers for The Kansas City Star. This job taught them about hard work and responsibility.
Roy finished high school in 1912. After that, he worked on a farm for a summer. He then became a bank clerk in Kansas City.
Serving His Country
Roy joined the United States Navy in 1917. He served until 1919. During his time in the Navy, he got tuberculosis. Because of this, he was released from military duty.
He moved to Los Angeles to get better. While recovering in the hospital, he worked as a banker.
Starting Disney Studios
In 1923, his brother Walt came to Hollywood. Together, Roy and Walt planned to start a movie studio. They called it Disney Brothers Studio.
The brothers bought kit houses and built their homes next to each other. Their homes were on Lyric Avenue in the Los Feliz neighborhood.
Roy's Role at Disney
Walt was the creative genius behind the cartoons and movies. Roy, however, was the business brain. He managed the money and the company's operations.
Roy and Walt started Disney Studios as equal partners. Later, in 1929, Walt bought more of Roy's share. But Roy remained a very important partner in the company.
Roy became the company's first CEO in 1929. He also shared the role of chairman of the board with Walt starting in 1945. He became President of the company around this time too.
In 1960, Walt stepped down as chairman. This allowed him to focus more on creating new ideas. Roy continued to lead the business side.
After Walt's Death
Walt Disney passed away in 1966. Roy had planned to retire, but he decided to stay. He wanted to make sure that Walt Disney World was built.
Roy oversaw the huge project. He renamed the park Walt Disney World to honor his brother. The park opened in October 1971.
Roy's Family Life
Roy married Edna Francis in April 1925. They had one son, Roy Edward Disney, who was born in 1930.
Roy was a private person. He did not like the fame that came with being Walt's brother. He preferred to work behind the scenes.
His Final Years
After Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, Roy finally retired. He died on December 20, 1971, at the age of 78. He passed away from a brain hemorrhage.
Roy is buried next to his wife, Edna Francis. Their graves are in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles.
Roy's Lasting Impact
Roy O. Disney left a big mark on the world. Many things are named after him:
- One of the trains at Walt Disney World Railroad is named Roy O. Disney. His son rededicated it in his honor in 2002.
- A train at Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad is also named after him.
- The Roy O. Disney Concert Hall is a performance space at the California Institute of the Arts. Roy helped support this school.
You can also find statues of Roy Disney:
- A statue of Roy sitting on a park bench with Minnie Mouse is at Magic Kingdom in Florida.
- Another statue is outside the Team Disney building in Burbank, California. This is Disney's main office.
- There is a third statue at Tokyo Disneyland.
- The Roy O. Disney Suite is on the top floor of the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
In 2014, an actor named Jon Heder played Roy O. Disney in the movie Walt Before Mickey.
Images for kids
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Roy's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
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The Roy O. Disney locomotive at Walt Disney World Railroad
See also
In Spanish: Roy O. Disney para niños
