Thoughts on Walt
Page 13 of 26
Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor at the 2001 NFFC
Convention
Wayne Allwine on Walt Disney
December 19, 2001
| My life has been spent working, in one capacity or another, for the Disney family. I consider it to be a very high calling, serving Walt's "dream". |
Wayne Alline is best known as the current voice of Mickey Mouse for all films, television, videos, consumer products, video and games and anything else where Mickey's voice is heard. Wayne is also an award winning sound and sound effects editor having won an Emmy for his work on Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories, and an accomplished musician with several groups including recording with Davie Allan and the Arrows on their hit single Blue's Theme.
And perhaps cutest of all, Wayne is married to voice actor Russi Taylor who currently provides the voice for Minnie Mouse as well as several other animated characters both Disney and non-Disney. Wayne and Russi met while recording the Totally Minnie album.
LaughingPlace.com: What was your first exposure to Walt Disney?
Wayne Allwine: My first exposure to Walt was through the Disneyland TV show. .Every week "Uncle" Walt would come by to visit for an hour, and he always brought a present!! This show meant alot to me. It inspired me, it entertained me and it always left me wanting more! I loved it all. Davy Crockett, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, the True Life Adventures, all combined to take me on a "Mini-Vacation" once a week. During that hour all of my concerns were forgotten. I knew by age 9 that I wanted to work for Mr.Disney. Doing? Well, anything. Just as long as I was workin' for "Walt."
When I was 10 years old I used to play hookey and ride my bike down to the chain link fence just off the western street portion of the now non-existant back lot, just to try and catch a glimpse of Walt. One day my efforts were rewarded as a Black Lincolin limo drove up and stopped about 50 feet to my left. The back door opened and out stepped Walt himself!! I'm guessing he was visiting the set for what later would have been a scene from Darby O'Gill and the Little People, as there were several buildings dressed with Irish signs and names on them..I was in heaven, in fact, that evening I went home and told my Mom, "Well, I saw Walt today." Walt who?" she asked. "Why, Walt Disney!" I glibly told her. Was I punished for skipping school that day? I don't remember. But I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on the great man himself.
In the Summer of 1966 I went to work in the Mail Room (Back then it was known as "Traffic") of the Walt Disney Studios. I met and actually spoke to Walt only once. He was so sick, and I didn't know it. Now, in hindsight, there's so much more I would have said had I known. No, in thinking about it, I think all that was said was enough. I know I still get that "weak kneed" feeling when I'm speaking to Roy E. Disney. I'm proud to say I've been Serving Mr. Disney's ( "Name's Walt," he told me after I had called him Mr. Disney) legacy for almost 25 years. Thanks for the priviledge, "Walt."
LP: What do you admire the most about Walt Disney?
WA: He proved that "Dreams can come true." My wife and I are living proof!!
LP: What is the greatest gift Walt left to the Company?
WA: I think it was the knowledge that "anything is possible" if you just keep the "dream" alive.
LP: In your opinion, what is the greatest gift Walt left to the world?
WA: That "genius" still happens and can be found in the most surprising places.
LP: Any additional comments you'd like to add.
WA: My life has been spent working, in one capacity or another, for the Disney family. I consider it to be a very high calling, serving Walt's "dream" that is. When I started at Walt Disney Productions, it was like stepping back in time. The studio was a veritable renaissance village, with artists and craftsmen galore. Most unbelievable to me, was the fact that they were all so accessable. A person with talent could find a niche and learn a skill from any one of hundreds of master craftsmen!! It was "creative heaven, and I was lucky, no. privileged to walk among these "giants."
A few months back, I ran into Jack Spears, an old timer like myself, who used to write and produce for Disney. We talked about the past and I suddenly found myself blurting, "You know Jack, I'd give up everything I have, except my family, to be back working with all of you again." Without missing a beat, Jack replied, "So would I Wayne, so would I." In the end, each of us old timers carries his or her own special memories. Memories of what it was like back then. Memories to last a lifetime. Now, if we could find a way to "bottle" these memories, what a tonic it would make for this sad ol' world. What a tonic, indeed.
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