Roy O. Disney

Roy O. Disney Born June 24, 1893(1893-06-24)
Chicago, IllinoisDied December 20, 1971(aged 78)
Burbank, CaliforniaSpouse Edna Francis(1925-1971) Children Roy Edward Disney(b.1930)

Roy Oliver Disney (June 24, 1893–December 20, 1971) was, with his younger brother Walt Disney, co-founder of what is now The Walt Disney Company. Roy served as the company's chief executive officer (CEO) (1929–1971) – though title name was not given until 1968 – president (1945–1971), and chairman (1966–1971).

Roy was born to Elias Disney and the former Flora Call Disney in Chicago, Illinois. He married Edna Francis in April 1925, and from this marriage he is the father of Roy Edward Disney, who was born on January 10, 1930.

While Walt was the creative man, Roy was the one who made sure the company was financially stable; Roy and Walt both founded Disney Studios as brothers, but Walt would buy out most of Roy's share in 1929 and, unlike Max and Dave Fleischer of rival Fleischer Studios, was not a producer.

After Walt Disney's death in 1966, Roy postponed his retirement to oversee construction of what was then known as Disney World, and later renamed it Walt Disney World as a tribute to his brother. After Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, Roy Disney retired. He died from a stroke at home two months later at the age of 78.

Tributes

A statue of Roy O. Disney seated on a park bench beside Minnie Mouse is located in the Town Square section of Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida. A duplicate is located outside the Team Disney building at Disney's corporate headquarters in Burbank, California.

Preceded by
First CEO Disney CEOs
1968–1971 Succeeded by
Donn TatumPreceded by
Walt Disney Disney Presidents
1945–1968 Succeeded by
Donn TatumPreceded by
Walt Disney Disney Chairmen
1964–1971 Succeeded by
Donn Tatum