Over the past nine decades, Mickey Mouse has become one of the most recognizable and beloved characters around the globe. In his long history, this adorable mouse has seen and done it all.
Many of Mickey’s accolades are well-documented, but aspects of his mythos remain a mystery even today. In order to shine some light on the face of Disney, here are 10+ obscure facts fans didn’t know about Mickey Mouse.
Mickey Mouse was the first cartoon character to ever speak.
What were the iconic Mouse’s first words, you ask? ” Hot dog! “
It’s wild to think that Mickey first spoke nearly a hundred years ago! “Hot dog!” would go on to become one of Mickey’s most beloved catchphrases.
Mickey’s name was originally going to be Mortimer!
Not only that, but Mickey began his life as a rabbit ! Over time it was decided that a mouse would be better suited for the character.
Walt also supposedly hated the name ‘Mortimer’.
Walt drew Mickey for the first time while he was riding on a train.
“He popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when the business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb, and disaster seemed right around the corner.”
The reason why Mickey wears white gloves is obvious and boring.
It’s one of the most-asked questions surrounding the mythos of Mickey: why the white gloves ?
In the early days of animation, all cartoons were black and white. Since Mickey is a black mouse, the gloves help accentuate his hands.
There are hidden Mickey Mouse heads all over both Disneyland and Disney World theme parks.
It’s become a favorite activity among visitors to the park to try and see how many they’re able to find.
There are countless maps and resources online that point to the best hiding spots.
During the 1970’s, Mickey recorded and released a disco album.
So to answer your first question: of course, I listened to it.
I’m not sure what surprised me more: the fact that this album even exists or how good it actually is?
Mickey Mouse was the first cartoon character to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
It took longer than you would have expected, but Mickey was finally given his star in 1978. You can find it located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.
At one point in time, Walt Disney held the patent for Techni-color.
This meant that early on, Walt Disney was the only person alive who was able to produce color cartoons!
Can you imagine how differently animation might look today had he held on to that?
Every U.S. President since Harry Truman (save for Lyndon Johnson) has posed for a picture with Mickey.
I guess old LBJ thought that it would tarnish his image?
Just in case you were wondering: Donald Trump has not posed with Mickey since becoming President…yet.
Walt Disney was the original voice for Mickey.
Walt was the voice of Mickey up until 1946 . He relinquished the duty in order to direct his focus and attention on the ever-expanding Disney empire.
The first two Mickey Mouse animated features cost $2500 to produce.
To put that in perspective for you: Pinnochio had a budget of $2.6 million. Toy Story ‘s rose to over $30 million, and by the time Monster’s Inc. came around the budget was $200 million.
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Times have sure changed!
Mickey Mouse actors are in short supply.
Literally! In order to be considered for the prestigious honor of being a Disneyland costume actor, there are incredibly strict and regimented height restrictions .
You can’t be any shorter than 4’8″ and no taller than 5’4″.
Mickey is more recognizable around the globe than Santa Claus!
At one time, Mickey Mouse had what’s known as an ‘Awareness Rating’ of 98% among children ages 3-11! Santa doesn’t even come close.
Mickey also makes up close to 40% of Disney’s total consumer product revenue.
Mickey and Minnie are indeed married…but it’s complicated.
“Minnie is, for screen purposes, his leading lady . If the story calls for a romantic courtship, then Minnie is the girl; but when the story requires a married couple, then they appear as man and wife. In the studio we have decided that they are married already.”
Speaking of politics, Mickey Mouse is the most-popular write-in candidate at the election polls.
You have to admire someone who goes out of their way to drive or walk to a polling station , only to give a proverbial middle finger to the entire establishment.
