Actors who served as models for Walt Disney cartoons

Did you know that all the characters in the first Disney movies were based on real people? The legendary Walt Disney, a pioneer in many animation techniques, dreamed of characters coming to life, talking and behaving like us. That’s why his first drawings were inspired by real people.

We made a list with some examples that show what the creation process of this true animation genius was like.

The most elegant villain in history was given the appearance and voice of actress Eleanor Audley, and she was invited by Walt Disney personally. According to the Sleeping Beauty story, Maleficent was an old woman with a huge nose. And that’s how she appeared in the first drafts.

Later, animator Mark Davis saw a book of fairy tales in which there was a drawing of a woman dressed in black surrounded by flames. He decided to create a new image for the witch. In addition, the animator also added two horns, and actress Eleanor Audley was in charge of the gestures. Subsequently, she contributed the voice.

The cooperation of the American actress and dancer Helene Stanley with the Disney animators was very fruitful. She has worked as a live model for the heroines of many cartoons, among them Anita Radcliffe in 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella and Princess Aurora. When creating the appearance of Princess Aurora for Sleeping Beauty, Mark Davis used the actress’ movements and plasticity for the animation. The physical appearance was created by stylist Tom Orive, who was inspired by the elegance of Audrey Hepburn.

The prototype of Tinker Bell, the fairy from Peter Pan, came from American actress and radio presenter Margaret Kerry. It is said that the animators not only gave Margaret’s appearance, but also the actress’s gestures and habits.

Originally, the role was to be played by American Margaret O’Brien. In the end, the character was inspired by the young British actress Kathryn Beaumont. Walt Disney found his Alice in the cinema, when he saw her in another movie. Kathryn was perfect for the role: blonde, wavy hair, blue eyes and a nice British accent.

The animator responsible for it was Mark Henn. To create the image of the oriental princess, he was inspired by a Disney visitor who had long black hair. The animator also ‘spied’ on his sister and actress Jennifer Connelly, mainly to create the character’s facial gestures. The voice and some character traits were inherited from actress Linda Larkin. The name was chosen in honor of American actress and singer Jasmine Guy.

When creating Hades, the animators wanted a classic villain. He had to be arrogant, boring, silent and almost funereal. But the person responsible for the voice, James Woods, generated a twist in the character, causing the creators, satisfied with the result, to modify the script. In the end, the villain acquired many of the actor’s personality traits, including a great sense of humor.

The image of Roger Rabbit’s seductive wife was collectively created. The way of dressing and the dress with a high neckline in the back came from the scandalous 50s model Vicky Dugan. Both Jessica Rabbit’s hair and facial features were inspired by another actress, American Veronica Lake.

The image of the boy who doesn’t want to grow up was inspired by the young Bobby Driscoll. He was Walt Disney’s favorite child actor, who said he saw his own image in Bobby as a young man. Peter Pan received physical and character traits from Bobby. He would later voice the character.

The prototype Evil Queen from Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs was Gale Sondergaard. To create the image of the villain, who appreciated beauty above all else, the directors looked for an actress with a majestic bearing and an elegant appearance. Disney animators found all of that in Gale, who also voiced the character.

The evil wizard Jaffar was brilliantly played in 1940 by Conrad Feydt in the film The Thief of Baghdad. The image created by the actor always willing to create intrigue served as the basis for the Disney character in Aladdin.

And a little bonus!

What did you think of the actors and actresses who inspired some of the most famous cartoon characters?