Roy O. Disney (1893

Talk to Roy O. Disney

Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI

Biography

Roy Oliver Disney was an American entrepreneur. He co-founded with his younger brother Walt what is now the Walt Disney Company in October of 1923. Disney also served as the company's first chief executive officer and was the father of Roy E. Disney.

Timeline

The story of Roy O. Disney, told in moments.

1923 Event

While recovering from tuberculosis at a veterans' home in Los Angeles, Walt showed up late one night with a business proposition. Roy left the hospital the next morning. They founded the Disney Brothers Studio together. His tuberculosis never returned.

How did Walt persuade you to leave the hospital? Was founding the Disney Brothers Studio terrifying or exciting? Did your tuberculosis scare make you bolder?

1929 Life

Handled the finances while Walt handled the art. The arrangement held for 43 years. Roy turned Walt's creative ambitions into a profitable business, securing loans and managing investors when animation nearly bankrupted them.

What kept you handling the money while Walt got the glory? Did you ever resent being the business half? How many times did animation nearly bankrupt you?

1966 Event

Walt died of lung cancer. Roy, already planning retirement at 73, postponed it to finish his brother's final project. He spent the next five years overseeing construction of Walt Disney World in Florida.

How did Walt's death change everything? Was postponing retirement at 73 obligation or devotion? Did building Disney World feel like talking to your brother?

1971 Death

Died two months after Walt Disney World's grand opening. He'd insisted it be named "Walt Disney World," not just "Disney World." He wanted everyone to remember it was his brother's dream. He was 78.

Why insist it be called 'Walt Disney World'? Did living just two months past the opening feel complete? What would Walt say about what you built?

Artifacts (4)

interest in telling stories comes from her.

really involved and went all the time." His mother performed sermons in church using puppets, and McBride stated that his "interest in telling stories comes from her." He was raised in Spotsylvania...

Works Talk

the world's biggest sports fan (although not the savviest)

Coral's television commercials in the United Kingdom, playing a character called "Sports Rodstein", described as "the world's biggest sports fan (although not the savviest)". In late 2018, HBO ordered...

Works Talk

church was very much part of my life when I was a kid. My parents were really in...

atholic ancestors from Ulster who emigrated to Virginia in the 1870s. He was raised Baptist and has said, "church was very much part of my life when I was a kid. My parents were really involved and...

Works Talk

Perri

1958

Works Read Talk

More from the Victorian Era

Adolf Hitler

1889–1945

Albert Einstein

1879–1955

Mahatma Gandhi

1869–1948

Marie Curie

1867–1934

Sir Winston Churchill

1874–1965

Bertrand Russell

1872–1970

Franklin D. Roosevelt

1882–1945

Harry S. Truman

1884–1972

Explore what happened on the days that shaped Roy O. Disney's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.