Who created Mickey Mouse?
Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks created Mickey Mouse in 1928. Disney developed the character and voiced him, while Iwerks designed and animated him.
Mickey was born after Walt Disney lost the rights to an earlier character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, to Universal. Disney and Iwerks needed a new star quickly. The first Mickey cartoon produced was Plane Crazy, a silent short made in 1928.
Mickey's public breakthrough came with Steamboat Willie, released on November 18, 1928, one of the first cartoons with fully synchronized sound. Disney himself provided Mickey's voice until 1947. The release date is celebrated as Mickey's birthday.
From cartoon to icon
Mickey became the face of The Walt Disney Company and the symbol of its theme parks around the world. Walt Disney received an honorary Academy Award in 1932 for creating him. The original Steamboat Willie version of Mickey entered the public domain in the United States in 2024, although later versions of the character and the Disney trademarks are still protected.
Did You Know?
Mickey was nearly called Mortimer Mouse. Walt Disney's wife, Lillian, is often credited with suggesting the friendlier name Mickey. Minnie Mouse also appeared in Steamboat Willie.