Walt Disney's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Walt Disney. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Walter Elias Disney was a highly influential American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur who revolutionized the animation industry. He achieved unprecedented success, holding the record for most Academy Awards won and nominations received by an individual. Disney's pioneering spirit led to numerous innovations in cartoon production. His films have been recognized for their cultural and artistic significance, with several inducted into the National Film Registry and honored as some of the greatest films ever made.
May 1921: Establishment of Laugh-O-Gram Studio
In May 1921, the success of the "Laugh-O-Grams" led to the establishment of Laugh-O-Gram Studio.
1932: Introduction of Goofy and Flowers and Trees release
In 1932, Disney and his crew introduced new cartoon stars like Goofy. Furthermore, Disney filmed Flowers and Trees in full-color three-strip Technicolor and secured exclusive rights to the process until 1935. Flowers and Trees won the Academy Award for best Short Subject (Cartoon).
1933: Release of The Three Little Pigs
In 1933, Disney produced The Three Little Pigs, which was the most successful short animation and won Disney another Academy Award. The studio's staff increased due to the film's success, and Disney invested in a "story department".
1935: Chevalier in the French Légion d'honneur
In 1935, Walt Disney was made a Chevalier in the French Légion d'honneur.
December 1937: Premiere of Snow White
In December 1937, Snow White premiered to high praise from critics and audiences.
1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Release
In 1937, Walt Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which furthered the development of animated film.
1937: The Old Mill release and multiplane camera implementation
In 1937, the Silly Symphony The Old Mill won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film due to its impressive visual power. Disney ordered scenes from Snow White to be re-drawn to implement the multiplane camera effects. Bambi was also in production since 1937.
May 1939: Snow White becomes most successful sound film
By May 1939, Snow White's total gross of $6.5 million made it the most successful sound film made to that date.
1940: Release of Pinocchio and Fantasia
In 1940, Walt Disney released the animated films Pinocchio and Fantasia, contributing to the advancement of animated film.
1941: Brazil's Order of the Southern Cross
In 1941, Walt Disney received Brazil's Order of the Southern Cross.
1942: Special Achievement Award for Bambi
In 1942, Walt Disney received a Special Achievement Award for Bambi.
1942: Release of Bambi
In 1942, Walt Disney released Bambi, contributing to the development of animated film.
1943: Mexico's Order of the Aztec Eagle
In 1943, Walt Disney received Mexico's Order of the Aztec Eagle.
1948: Initiation of True-Life Adventures Series
In 1948, Disney initiated the True-Life Adventures series of live-action nature films, with Seal Island as the first film, which won an Academy Award.
1950: Release of Cinderella
In 1950, Walt Disney released Cinderella, which was critically successful.
1950: Release of Cinderella and Treasure Island
In early 1950, Disney produced Cinderella, which was popular and earned nearly $8 million in its first year. Also in 1950, Disney was involved in Treasure Island, his first entirely live-action feature, shot in Britain.
1952: Officer d'Academie
In 1952, Walt Disney was awarded France's highest artistic decoration, the Officer d'Academie.
1953: Special Achievement Award for The Living Desert
In 1953, Walt Disney received a Special Achievement Award for The Living Desert.
April 1955: Newsweek calls the Disneyland series an American institution
In April 1955, Newsweek called the Disneyland series an American institution, after ABC broadcast Walt Disney's Disneyland in 1954. ABC was pleased with the ratings, leading to Disney's first daily television program, The Mickey Mouse Club.
July 1955: Disneyland opens
In July 1955, Disneyland opened and the opening ceremony was broadcast on ABC. The park was designed as a series of themed lands and was successful, attracting 3.6 million guests by the end of its first year.
1955: Man of the Year
In 1955, Walt Disney was named "Man of the Year" by the B'nai B'rith chapter in Beverly Hills, as the organization found no evidence of antisemitism on Disney's part. The plaque read: "For exemplifying the best tenets of American citizenship and inter-group understanding and interpreting into action the ideals of B'nai B'rith."
1956: Germany's Order of Merit
In 1956, Walt Disney received Germany's Order of Merit.
1959: Release of Sleeping Beauty
In 1959, Walt Disney released Sleeping Beauty, adding to his collection of animated and live-action films.
February 1960: Induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In February 1960, Walt Disney was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with two stars, one for motion pictures and the other for his television work.
1960: Thailand's Order of the Crown
In 1960, Walt Disney received Thailand's Order of the Crown.
September 14, 1964: Presidential Medal of Freedom
On September 14, 1964, Walt Disney received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1964: Release of Mary Poppins
In 1964, Walt Disney released Mary Poppins, which received five Academy Awards.
May 24, 1968: Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal
On May 24, 1968, Walt Disney was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
1968: Posthumous Academy Award for Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day
In 1968, "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day" earned Disney a posthumous Academy Award in the Short Subject (Cartoon) category.
1980: Minor Planet 4017 Disneya
In 1980, a minor planet discovered by astronomer Lyudmila Karachkina, was named 4017 Disneya, in honor of Walt Disney.
1986: Induction into the Television Hall of Fame
In 1986, Walt Disney was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
1998: AFI's 100 Greatest American Films List
In 1998, the American Film Institute published a list of the 100 greatest American films, according to industry experts; the list included Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (at number 49), and Fantasia (at 58).
December 2006: Induction into the California Hall of Fame
In December 2006, Walt Disney was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
2014: Inaugural Recipient of Star on Anaheim Walk of Stars
In 2014, Walt Disney was the inaugural recipient of a star on the Anaheim walk of stars.
2023: Member of the First Orange County Hall of Fame Class
In 2023, Walt Disney was a member of the first Orange County Hall of Fame class.
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