Roy Disney was a famous entrepreneur who co-founded The Walt Disney Company with his younger brother, Walt Disney. He also served as the company's first CEO and was the father of Roy E. Disney.
Roy was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 24, 1893. He was the second of four children born to Elias Disney and Flora Call Disney. Roy and Walt were very close as children, and they often worked together on projects.
In 1910, the Disney family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Roy worked as a bank clerk. He also served in the United States Navy during World War I. After the war, Roy joined Walt in California, where they started their own business, the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio.
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Roy was the financial brains of the company, while Walt was the creative genius. Roy was responsible for managing the company's finances, and he also negotiated many of the company's deals.
He was instrumental in the creation of some of the company's most popular films, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Fantasia (1940).
In 1945, Roy became the president of Walt Disney Productions. He served in this role until 1968, when he became chairman of the board. He remained in this role until his death in 1971.
Roy was a visionary leader who helped to make The Walt Disney Company the success that it is today. He was also a generous philanthropist who donated millions of dollars to charitable causes.
He died on December 20, 1971, at the age of 78.
Family Overview
Roy was married to Edna Francis from April 1925 until his death. Roy met Edna Francis in Kansas City, Missouri, when she worked at The Kansas City Times along with close friend Meredith A. Boyington, and she introduced Meredith to Raymond Arnold Disney, who was an older brother to Roy O. Disney.
Raymond and Meredith were married and were lifetime close friends to Edna and Roy, and they had two sons: Charles Elias Disney and Daniel H. Disney. Roy and Edna's son, Roy Edward Disney, was born on January 10, 1930. Roy Edward Disney later was vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company.
Throughout his life, Roy Oliver Disney rejected the publicity and fame that came with being Walt's brother.
Roy's nephew, Charles Elias Disney, chose to name his son Charles Roy Disney in Roy's honor. Roy remained a member of the Freemasons for decades before he resigned from his membership.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Elias Charles Disney (1859 - 1941) - He was born in Canada and moved to Kansas in the late 1870s. He moved around throughout his life. He helped build the World Fair in Chicago and would die in Los Angeles, California.
Flora Call (1868 - 1938) - Born in Ohio, married in Florida, lived in Chicago and died in Los Angeles, California. She lived a busy life and raised 5 children. Walter would build an empire, and his brothers would help run it.
Spouse:
Edna Francis (1890 - 1984) - She was married to Roy for many years, and the two had one son together. In an age where many celebrities had many marriages, the couple remained until Roy's death in 1971. She lived as a widow until her death in 1984. She was a steady presence behind the mind of Roy and a constant support for him and her son.
Children:
Roy Edward Disney (1930 - 2009) - He was a longtime senior executive for the Walt Disney Company and the last member of the Disney family to be actively involved in the company. Disney was often compared to his uncle and father. He had two sons and two daughters; his daughter, Abigail Disney, is a documentary filmmaker
Siblings:
Herbert Arthur Disney (1888 - 1961) - He was the older brother to Walt Disney. He served in World War 1 and returned to the United States, where would marry and have a child. He and his wife first moved to Oregon, but over time, he moved to Los Angeles to be with his family. He worked in the United States Post Office in Los Angeles for many years. He died 5 years before Walt and 10 years before Roy.
Raymond Arnold Disney (1890 - 1989) - He was a World War 1 veteran and the oldest sibling to survive. He ran a successful insurance company in Los Angeles for many years and often advised Walt and Roy on these matters. He was an admirer of Abraham Lincoln and helped Walt with an exhibit that has been expanded but still exists in Anaheim today. He outlived all of his immediate family and died at the age of 99.
Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) - He is a cultural icon, an American entrepreneur, cartoonist, animator, voice actor, and film producer known for his influence and contributions to entertainment during the 20th century. In 1923, he and his brother Roy O. Disney co-founded The Walt Disney Company. Walt died from lung cancer on December 15, 1966, in Burbank, California, Just ten days after his 65th birthday. He was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.
Ruth Flora Disney (1903 - 1995) - She worked as a stenographer and married. She and her husband had one son. She is the least known Disney but was the last of the siblings to pass away. She died in Oregon at an elderly age.