Mickey Mouse is Turning 90
MICKEY MOUSE’S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT UNVEILED
TO CELEBRATE MICKEY’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY, DISNEY ANIMATOR MARK HENN CREATED THE PAINTING “SPREADING HAPPINESS AROUND THE WORLD”
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – July 20, 2018 – Mickey Mouse’s new birthday portrait was revealed today at San Diego Comic-Con. Titled “Spreading Happiness Around the World,” the painting by legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Mark Henn honors Mickey’s 90th anniversary. The unveiling of the new work—the latest in a longstanding series of Mickey birthday portraits—took place during the panel “Celebrating 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.”
Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality continue to delight fans around the world every day. D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios, commissioned Henn to
“It is one of the great honors of my career to be asked to
The portrait is just one of the many ways Disney is celebrating the landmark anniversary of this beloved character:
· This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances, and more.
· D23 will present Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, a two-day event at Walt Disney World Resort featuring panels, presentations, and fun-filled entertainment.
· Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the Emmy® Award-winning series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode.
· Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world will celebrate Mickey’s 90th on November 18, marking the day with commemorative merchandise, photo locations, and more.
· Beginning in late 2018 and into 2019, the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, saluting Mickey and Minnie, will take place at Disney Parks worldwide.
- Disney On Ice will salute Mickey as the “True Original” host of Disney On Ice since its inception in 1981 by creating Mickey’s 90th pre-shows for productions touring the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
- Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Special Celebration, a new production showcasing Mickey Mouse’s memories throughout the years, will launch in Japan in July 2018 and continue touring throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019.
- In France, 38 design and art schools will take part in “Mickey Is Art,” a unique contest in which students will craft works of Mickey, inspired by their favorite artistic movement. The winning designs will be displayed this summer in 12 major train stations in France and for sale this September at Galerie Glénat in Paris.
· Disney store will continue to celebrate milestone moments for Mickey Mouse with the Mickey Mouse Memories Collection (launched in January 2018), a monthly, limited-release series of 12 collectible plush, mugs, and cloisonné pins inspired by Mickey’s most memorable movie roles.
· Disney Publishing Worldwide will introduce more than 30 titles globally as part of Mickey’s 90th, including books, arts & crafts, and comics.
About Mark Henn
Mark Henn is a veteran animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Henn is currently working with the animation team on the upcoming feature Ralph Breaks the Internet. Henn most recently served as a 2D animator for the “Mini Maui” character in the Academy Award®-nominated Moana. Henn also served as the lead 2D animator on the Academy Award®-winning Big Hero 6 and Frozen. Among his many credits at the studio, Henn served as supervising animator for Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Jasmine in Aladdin, Young Simba in The Lion King, title characters Mulan and Pocahontas, and Princess Tiana in The Princess and the Frog. In 2000, Henn traded his pencil for a director’s chair on the award-winning short John Henry, based on the popular American legend.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($79.99), Gold Family Membership ($104.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at shopDisney.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Laura says
Wow! I love Mickey Mouse. I can’t believe he’s 90 already lol.
LeAnn Harbert says
All of my granddaughters love anything Mickey and Minnie
Sue E says
I have been a Mickey and Minnie fan since I was a little girl. I remember watching the cartoons in black and white. Mickey and friends looked different back then. I am glad I have got to see him, Minnie, Donald and Daisy Duck, Pluto & Goofy evolve over all these years! My kids loved them and now my grandkids do! We have a Disney store near us and I’d like to pickup some memorabilia for this occasion. I feel that I have to, because those mice kept me and my family entertained for years!! Besides all the families around the world! Walt Disney was a creative genius!! I am bookmarking this date to make sure that myself and my family doesn’t miss the festivities! I’m sharing this on my Facebook page also. I really appreciate this!
Amy D says
I’m really looking forward to watching Mickey’s birthday celebration this fall. Mickey has been loved for generations and continues to be loved my children today.
shannon fowler says
I love disney! This is such a great piece of work. Im looking forward to the special events they do to celebrate.
Casey Garvey says
I love Mickey and LOVED minnie as a younger child! I hope they are still around for my kids to appreciate as kids!
donna porter says
I had no idea Mickey Mouse is turning 90. So many memories of Mickey as a child.
Nidhi Chauhan says
We love Micky mouse. Its our family favorite Disney character. We watched his Disney movies multiple times and loved it.