13 fun facts about Donald Duck in honor of his birthday

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Happy birthday, Donald Duck! Donald is my favorite Disney character, for a variety of reasons, including our similar personalities and temperament, that my dad does a great version of Donald’s voice, and that my first trip to Disney World was in 1984, which was Donald’s 50th birthday. He was celebrated in grand style that year!

Here are 13 fun facts about Donald Duck in honor of his birthday on June 9.

Happy birthday Donald Duck

June 9th is considered his birthday because Donald Duck made his cinematic debut on June 9, 1934, the release date of the cartoon The Wise Little Hen. (That makes him 81 years old.)

Donald’s middle name is Fauntleroy. I think this suits him nicely.

Donald Duck StatueClarence Nash voiced Donald Duck from 1934 up until Mickey’s Christmas Carol in 1983. That was the last movie in which he voiced Donald, although he continued to do commercials and such until his death in 1985. It was then that Tony Anselmo, who had been trained by Nash for the role, took over as the voice of Donald Duck.

Donald Duck likes to say he’s number one, and he’s actually right in some respects.  He has appeared in more films than any other Disney character, according to IMDB.

The University of Oregon’s mascot is Donald Duck. According to the school, the agreement was made “in 1947 when Oregon’s first athletic director, Leo Harris, struck a handshake arrangement with Walt Disney. Donald’s likeness could serve as a mascot, as long as it was done in good taste.” Upon Disney’s death, however, the lack of written agreement became an issue, and some people pushed for another duck to take the reins. (I know, the horror!) Thankfully, Donald prevailed.

"Oregon Ducks mascot" by John Martinez Pavliga - Flickr: IMG_0020. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
“Oregon Ducks mascot” by John Martinez Pavliga – Flickr: IMG_0020. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

In 1984, when Donald Duck turned 50, his “visit to the Eugene City Airport that drew 3,000 to 4,000 fans for the presentation of an academic cap and gown to Donald, who was named an honorary alumnus of the University of Oregon. Thousands of area residents signed a congratulatory scroll for Donald, and that document is now part of Disney’s corporate archives,” according to the University of Oregon.

Donald starred in the “Der Fuehrer’s Face,” a short propaganda film that won the 1943 Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

duckstar

Donald Duck has his own star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame.

Donald has a twin sister named Della Duck, who is the mother of Huey, Dewey and Louie, Donald’s nephews. (I guess multiples run in duck family, too?) She first appeared in comic books and hasn’t gotten any screen time from Disney recently.

Donald Duck’s father’s name is Quackmore Duck, his mother’s name is Hortense McDuck.

IMG_6312

Donald is the fifth most published comic book character in the world after Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, according to toplst.com.

Donald and his girlfriend Daisy have been an item for a very long time. Daisy Duck was originally called Donna Duck when she made her first appearance in the animated short film “Don Donald” in 1937.

The Asteroid 12410 discovered in 1995 by P. Sicoli and P. Ghezzi at Sormano, was named after Donald Duck.

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