Fun Facts About Donald Duck You Never Knew
Everyone is familiar with the Disney Fab Five; Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and Pluto. Today were going to focus on one of these five friends…the hot-headed, short tempered, sailor outfit wearing Donald Duck!
We’re all familiar with Donald, but do we really know a lot about him? Let’s reveal some fun facts you may not have known about the wild and crazy Donald Duck.
Inspiration From a Duck and a Lamb?
Walt Disney was inspired to create Donald Duck when he heard Clarence Charles Nash, a voice actor, reciting Mary Had a Little Lamb in his duck voice.
After the idea was created, next came the sketch. Donald’s look was inspired by an American Pekin Duck.
Donald Duck’s character traits were created to off-set Mickey’s. Mickey was so nice and up beat, so Walt decided that they needed someone who was imperfect and more negative.
It was this imperfect nature that has endeared him to people worldwide and why he has become such a popular Disney character.
Donald Duck Has a Middle Name
There aren’t many Disney characters with middle names, but Donald has one. His full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck.
What Came First…the Duck or the Film?
Usually a character’s birthday is the day they debuted on the big screen, but that’s not the case for Donald Duck. Donald debuted on film on June 9th, 1934.
Donald Duck animation cel. Image: AmericanHistory.org
He was a co-star in Disney’s “Silly Symphonies” short The Wise Little Hen.
However, in one of his cartoons we learn that his birthday is actually on March 13th…but people still seem to celebrate it on July 9th.
Donald’s Breakout Role
Donald got his first starring role three years after his debut in 1947. The role was in a short titled Don Donald.
It was eight minutes long and followed Donald’s adventures in Mexico as he tried to win over his love, Donna Duck… (that’s right Daisy wasn’t his first love!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQETBW_yBjM
Donald Served in World War II
Donald Duck also starred in a series of shorts from 1942 to 1944 during World War II. The shorts depicted Donald’s life in the U.S. Army and his deep appreciation of the American Troops.
There were six shorts and they are titled Donald Get’s Drafted, The Vanishing Private, Sky Trooper, Fall Out Fall In, The Old Army Game, and Commando Duck.
Donald the Fighting Duck
In 1947 Walt made an agreement with Oregon’s athletic director, Leo Harris, that resulted in Donald Duck becoming the mascot for University of Oregon’s Fighting Ducks.
While he does not show up for games, you can get lots of merchandise sporting everyone’s favorite duck.
Oh Boy, Oh Boy…an Oscar!
That’s right Donald Duck won an Oscar for the short Der Feuhrer’s Face, also known as Donald Duck in Nutziland.
The short is about Donald having a nightmare that he’s been drafted into the German Army. Scary! Have no fear though, Donald is an American supporter all the way!
Donald’s Walk of Fame
Donald was awarded his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 9th, 2004. There are only 17 animated characters that have received this honor.
Other Disney characters who share this claim to fame are Mickey Mouse (he was actually the first animated character to receive a star), Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, Tinker Bell, and Minnie Mouse.
Photo Credit: PRNewsFoto/Buena Vista Pictures Marketing/AP Images
Duck Family Tree
Did you know that Donald has a relation with almost every duck in Duckburg? There are three families in Duckburg the McDucks, the Ducks, and the Coots. Donald’s mother belongs to the McDuck family and her name is Hortense. She is the sister of Scrooge McDuck, whom we all know from the show Ducktales.
Donald’s father is from the Duck family and his name is Quackmore and his mother, Elvira “Grandma”, is from the Coot family. Donald also has a sister named Della and she has three kids, Donald’s nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
Did You Know?
Over his career, Donald has appeared in 7 animated features. This is more than any of his animated friends.
I hope you learned a lot about our feathered friend Donald Duck! Did you that Donald can be found throughout the Disney parks for you to meet and greet?
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Hello Disney Fans! Janie here. I was a Disney kid growing up and now that I am an adult I love it even more. Whether its movies, music, parks, or games I just can’t get enough of it. I visit Disney World at least twice a year and even when I’m not there it’s all I can think about! My favorite part about Disney is how it brings out the inner child in everyone and I hope that by sharing my love of Disney I’ll be inspiring others to visit and take part in the Disney magic!
