Disney has developed incredible stories that have been a part of our lives since we were children. Many of their characters have become favorites of ours, and some of them are particularly dear to us. What you probably don’t realize is that many of them were based on real people, including celebrities in certain situations.
1. The 4 vultures — The Beatles
During the production of the animated adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s masterpiece The Jungle Book, Disney and the filmmakers in charge of the adaptation devised an imaginative cameo appearance by The Beatles. It was 1967, and they had already established themselves as one of the most popular bands of the period.
The four vultures would be voiced by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The animals would also have outrageous hairstyles and sing “That’s What Friends Are For.” Despite the fact that the band had motivated the birds, it was not enough to go on with the plan.
According to reports, Lennon preferred not to appear in the film. He told the band’s manager, Brian Epstein, that he should persuade Disney that hiring Elvis Presley was a better option. Due to his degeneration, the film only depicts the vultures conversing in a Liverpool-style accent, with J. Pat O’Malley, Digby Wolfe, Lord Tim Hudson, and Chad Stuart providing the voices.
2. Maleficent — Eleanor Audley
Eleanor Audley not only voiced Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty, but she was also invited by Disney directors to perform and record scenes that would aid animators in creating the imaginary figure. This indicates that Maleficent’s motions and visage were inspired by the actress’s appearance and actions.
Eleanor was also the basis for Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s legendary and cruel stepmother, in the animated film Cinderella.
3. Jessica Rabbit — Rita Hayworth
Due to her role in the film and her gorgeous figure, the bombshell from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? became an icon. Jessica Rabbit was based on the attractive actress Rita Hayworth, so her look wasn’t just a coincidence.
The writer Gary K. Wolf based her on the dancer from Tex Avery’s animated short film Red Hot Riding Hood at the start of the character design process. Jessica Rabbit’s appearance changed during the filming of the film. Several actresses, but primarily Rita, were responsible for this transformation. The film’s director of animation, Richard Williams, explained that he sought to make the figure appear like Hayworth, but with Veronica Lake’s hair.
4. The Mad Hatter — Ed Wynn
In Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter is one of Alice’s most unusual and original characters. The Hatter was inspired by the actor Ed Wynn’s actions, demeanour, and personality in the picture. He also provided the voice for the character, thus it’s safe to say he was an ideal model for the animators to create the Hatter.
5. Edna Moda — Linda Hunt
It’s thought that the plot of Edna, the protagonist in The Incredibles, was inspired by the life of fashion designer Edith Head. The character, however, bears a striking similarity to actress Linda Hunt.
6. Scat Cat — Louis Armstrong
The role of Scat Cat from The Aristocats was written for Louis Armstrong, the legendary jazz singer and trumpeter. He was supposed to be the voice of the popular cat, which was going to be called Satchmo the Cat at first.
Armstrong was unable to participate in the project due to unexpected health issues. As a result, the filmmakers were obliged to replace him with musician Scatman Crothers. As a result, they renamed the character Scat Cat and produced a new song for him, which was performed by Crothers.
7. Dr. Facilier — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson inspired Dr. Facilier, the villain in the film The Princess and the Frog. Dr. Facilier’s persona has a striking similarity to him, not just in his small figure and clothing choices, but also in the choreography he does throughout the film. The mannerisms and postures are identical to those displayed by the “King of Pop.”
8. Ariel — Alyssa Milano
When it came to designing Ariel for The Little Mermaid, Disney’s creative minds wanted to create the image of a lovely, pleasant, and contemporary young woman, so they looked to Alyssa Milano for inspiration.
During an interview, the actress stated that she was unaware of this at the time the role was created. However, she was then invited to deliver a documentary in which the makers demonstrated how the film was made. It was then that she realised Ariel was modelled after her. The tape’s producers used photos of her from her adolescence to recreate the iconic mermaid.
9. Ursula — Divine
Harris Glenn Milstead, popularly known as Divine, was an accomplished American performer and drag queen who inspired the creation of The Little Mermaid’s villainous Ursula. His performances and presentations were crucial in shaping the villain’s characteristics, spectacular style, and personality.
10. Alice — Kathryn Beaumont
The actress Kathryn Beaumont inspired the main figure in Alice in Wonderland. Alice’s voice was also given by her. To bring Alice to life, the company’s animators utilised her as a model. At the time, she was only ten years old. There are numerous images of Kathryn’s work, as well as a movie in which she is shown acting and voicing the character of Alice.
11. Cruella de Vil — Tallulah Bankhead
Cruella de Vil originally appeared on cinema as an animated character in the 1961 film A Hundred and One Dalmatians. Betty Lou Gerson played the legendary villain in the film. The head of animation, Marc Davis, had to develop Cruella from the ground up, so he and his crew based her design on Tallulah Bankhead’s personality and movements.
12. Snow White — Marge Champion
Marge Champion was one of the twentieth century’s most iconic dancers. The young actress auditioned for the role of Snow White when she was just 14 years old. Her role was to act out the scenes of the character in front of the animators. She was, however, asked to maintain the grace and delicacy of her dancing experience, which also marked the princess.
Marge was cast for the part in part due of her father. She was gifted in dance and theatre, but she was also raised and treated like royalty. Marge’s father, Ernest Belcher, trained her to bow and act delicately on a regular basis. Her upbringing helped her land the part because her movements and postures matched those desired by the producers for Snow White.
Which of the characters on the list took your breath away the most? Do you know of any more Disney characters who were based on real-life figures? Tell us about it in the comments section!
Preview photo credit The Incredibles / Disney, Wikimedia
