Happy Birthday Donald Duck!

by poolparty | June 9, 2008 at 03:07 pm

5476 views | 4 Recommendations | 31 comments

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! So it might be Donald Duck’s Birthday today! Donald made his first film debut back on June 9th, 1934. Many claim today as his birthday, but others argue it’s actually March 13th. Either way we can celebrate the life of Donald Duck today.

Donald Duck Facts:

In 1940s, he was so popular that he featured in more cartoons than Mickey Mouse

Full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck

Debuted in the Disney version of The Little Red Hen, called The Wise Little Hen; played (along with Peter Pig) one of thse unwilling to help his neighbor

Starred in Academy Award-winning cartoon, Der Fuehrer's Face, about the nightmare of living in Nazi Germany

Present family consists of nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, wealthy uncle Scrooge McDuck, cousin Gladstone Gander, and Grandma Duck

Lives with Huey, Dewey and Louie in a house in Duckburg

Father's name is Quackmore Duck, mother is Hortense McDuck, twin sister is Della Thelma Duck

June 9, date of screen debut, most often used for Donald's birthday

Clarence "Ducky" Nash provided Donald's voice for over 50 years, succeeded by Tony Anselmo

Nash's final performance as Donald was in Mickey's Christmas Carol in 1983; Donald was only character voiced by his original actor

Nash did Donald's voice in every language the cartoons were translated into, making him equally incoherent in every language

Built a car from spare parts, and still drives it (registration number is 313); also has a boat, the Miss Daisy

Pets: St. Bernard, Bolivar; puppy, Behemoth

Donald Duck eagerly begins each day with the best of intentions -- expecting everything to go his way. It’s just that the rest of the world won’t cooperate. Normally, Donald is a friendly and cheerful guy, but when things don’t go as planned, he often loses his temper. He has boundless determination and a pervasive persistence that borders on stubbornness. Donald cares about his family and friends and can be counted on to do the right thing. Donald’s weaknesses are our own. He’s the lovable little guy on the bottom who faces defeat but keeps right on trying.

Debut: 1934 - The Wise Little Hen

Past Roles: Sailor, boxer, prankster, hockey player, and more

Hobbies: joking with his friends, partaking of other cultures, spending time with Daisy and his nephews

Featured Publications: The Life of Donald Duck (1941)

Family: Huey, Dewey, Louie (nephews), Scrooge McDuck (uncle)

Height: 4 heads tall

Favorite Phrases: "Hiya, toots!", "Aw, phooey", "Hey! What's the big idea?!", "Nothin' to it."

Note of interest: Was a WWII icon and has a weakness for women, but remains faithful to Daisy.

Argument that his birthday is March 13th:

Donald Duck's birthday is commonly stated as being June 9, 1934, theday he debuted in the Silly Symphony cartoon "The Wise Little Hen". Butthis definition of his "birthday" is a little unsettling. Because ifsomeone has to have appeared in a Hollywood film in order to have been"born" then I myself must still be in my mother's womb awaiting mySilver Screen debut!

So, when was Donald Duck really born?

Many years ago I remember seeing a Donald Duck cartoon ("Donald's HappyBirthday") in which Donald's nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) weresitting in their playhouse trying to decide what to get Unca' Donaldfor his birthday. On the wall was a calendar showing the date: March 13.

(As an aside, the March 13 date also appears on Donald Duck's license plate as the number 313):

264

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

Just Duckie

at 05:03 on June 11th, 2008

Just Duckie has contributed a photo to this story.

mysticxf_721

at 07:38 on June 11th, 2008

Photo of Donald Duck jamming through Animal Kingdom, Spring 2008.

mysticxf_721 has contributed a photo to this story.

tommyday62

at 07:50 on June 11th, 2008

Donald Duck and Pluto at Epcot, 2007.

tommyday62 has contributed a photo to this story.

KristenRice

at 08:00 on June 11th, 2008

Donald Duck Toys - Tokyo Disneyland

"Genie" versions of toys are seen for a handful of characters.

KristenRice has contributed a photo to this story.

Kitzzy

at 08:07 on June 11th, 2008

This photo of a Donald Duck Topiary was taken at Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival in 2008.

Kitzzy has contributed a photo to this story.

PresenceOfAbsence

at 08:27 on June 11th, 2008

We took a family vacation to Florida and of course made the stop at Disney World. During the nightly show at the castle (just prior to the parade), I was able to catch a few pictures of the characters and their performance. Donald's always been one of my favorites!

PresenceOfAbsence has contributed a photo to this story.

sam_

at 08:31 on June 11th, 2008

I found this classic Donald Duck bowling pin inside of an abandoned house in Riverton, Utah. The place was in a state of complete disarray, items and garbage were strewn everywhere. Amongst the chaos was Donald.

NP_1_742545 has contributed a photo to this story.

_Maji_

at 09:41 on June 11th, 2008

Happy Birthday Donald... from your friends.

_Maji_ has contributed a photo to this story.

azzayindia

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:45 on June 11th, 2008

Steph02, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Big Kambo

at 10:51 on June 11th, 2008

These are all made from figerglass. Displayed outside a garden shop.

Big Kambo has contributed a photo to this story.

Liddella

at 12:42 on June 11th, 2008

Taken during the Dreams Come True Parade in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

Liddella has contributed a photo to this story.

commissioned works

at 12:44 on June 11th, 2008

commissioned works has contributed a photo to this story.

Lulù - d.i.y.

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 12:53 on June 11th, 2008

Steph02, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Happy Birthday Donald! :)

spikescopilot

at 13:25 on June 11th, 2008

This was a Disney PhotoPass photo (they've got some cool frames now!) from our Anniversary trip in February.

spikescopilot has contributed a photo to this story.

Jesper Egelund

at 13:44 on June 11th, 2008

Jesper Egelund has contributed a photo to this story.

silentmenace

at 15:26 on June 11th, 2008

It had just stopped raining as the park at Animal Kingdom 2008 was closing down for the day and who did we find as we were leaving? It was Donald and he was nice enough to stop and get a group photo on our way out. A great ending to a fun filled day.

silentmenace has contributed a photo to this story.

shuffling_feet

at 16:25 on June 11th, 2008

the extremely cute Donal Duck in Spectromagic

shuffling_feet has contributed a photo to this story.

maanne_escobar

at 17:17 on June 11th, 2008

It was my first time to go to the United States, and since I was in Burbank, California going to Disneyland in Anaheim was part of the itinerary. And one of the guys there to complete my Disneyland adventure is Donald Duck, of course.

maanne_escobar has contributed a photo to this story.

maanne_escobar

at 17:15 on June 11th, 2008

maanne_escobar has contributed a photo to this story.

sparrowowl

at 18:25 on June 11th, 2008

Luthien T has contributed a photo to this story.

avramitra

at 21:24 on June 11th, 2008

Happy Birthday! The great duck is so famous now, he has two birthdays. come on Mickey, compete with that! :D

Duyen_SLP

at 21:53 on June 11th, 2008

Got a Donald Duck plush and beach bag for my 30th Birthday in March this year from my best friend who is a little Goofy.

Duyen_SLP has contributed a photo to this story.

ptbird

at 00:30 on June 12th, 2008

My 40th birthday party - someone came as Donald Duck, what that has to do with this story I don't know!!

ptbird has contributed a photo to this story.

gracieintouch

at 01:25 on June 12th, 2008

You

ladystardust722

at 05:29 on June 12th, 2008

Donald Duck during the holidays at Animal Kingdom. Happy birthday, D!

ladystardust722 has contributed a photo to this story.

Bharat K.V.

at 08:17 on June 12th, 2008

this was illustrated for our office party...
Created using Photoshop CS and Flash MX...

Bharat K.V. has contributed a photo to this story.

Klingon65

at 13:15 on June 12th, 2008

Donald Duck in Mickey's Philharmonic attraction at Disney World.

Klingon65 has contributed a photo to this story.

Harvey-Harv

at 22:33 on June 12th, 2008

I visit Hollywood once in a while, and on this particular day I decided to walk down Hollywood Blvd. after having a fullfilling breakfast. And When I came across Donald Ducks Star, I was glad i had my camera with me. I never knew Donald had his own star..

Harvey-Harv has contributed a photo to this story.