The man who pioneered the American animation industry, the name whose name is synonymous with the iconic Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney is narrated to have chosen his favorite on his deathbed. Legend has it that Walt Disney’s last few words were Kurt Russell’s name. The founder of Disney Productions passed away in 1966, at a time when Russell was only in his early acting career.
The actor had worked in several Disney films, but his performance in 1966’s Follow Me, Boys! gripped Walt Disney, who later on facilitated a decade-long contract for the actor. This admiration and affinity towards Russell added to the legend’s sayings that the actor’s name was Disney’s final words. Although was it? Let’s find out.
Walt Disney’s association with Kurt Russell
Given Walt Disney’s staggering work in animation and production, several sources attempt to treasure his moments and history in the industry. Amy Boothe Green and Howard E. Green did so with their biographical book, Remembering Walt. In the book, Kurt Russell was quoted as,
“I was shooting a close-up and noticed there was some hubbub going on off-camera. This guy came over to me and said, ‘I’m sorry to tell you this, Kurt, but Walt Disney died. They were all very sweet.”
Disney passed away while Russell was working on a western TV show at the Universal Studios set. Despite being in a 10-year contract with Disney, Russell was allowed to shoot for Universal on December 15, 1966, the day Disney took his last breath, and supposedly, his final words.
Walt Disney’s last words were Kurt Russell’s name?
Walt Disney, who holds the record for the most number of Academy Awards for a producer, died of lung cancer at 65. Even decades after his death, the legend persists of Kurt Russell’s name being Disney’s last words. In the last filmed appearance of Disney, recorded in October 1966, the producer expressed his expectations of Russell’s career. As shared on YouTube, Walt Disney said in a particular segment of the video,
“You’re about to meet a 15-year-old boy who whom I predict a great acting future. His name is Kurt Russell.”
The professional that he was, Disney was neck-deep in multiple upcoming projects when he passed away. With Disney World in development in Orlando, and other films on his mind, Disney jotted down a list of names before he was hospitalized.
The scribbling was titled ‘TV Projects In Production: Ready for Production or Possible for Escalation and Story,’ per Mouse Planet. It was later found by former Disney archivist Dave Smith in 1970 when he documented Disney’s office, left untouched after his departure.
The note stated,
“Ron Miller—
2 Way Down Cellar
2. Kirt [sic] Russell
3. CIA—Mobley”
Dave Smith explained in a 2009 documentary of Disney’s office, the time he let Russell know that his name was scribbled on Walt Disney’s final note. Even though Kurt’s name was misspelled, the actor was humbled. While many presumed that Russell had something to do with the note, the actor clarified in 2013 that his perception was like many others; that Disney had written with the motive of casting him for future projects. He said in a special Disneyland episode of The View,
“I assume, as [does] everybody else, that he was talking about some movie that he was thinking about having me in…I don’t know what to make of it other than that.”
Russell’s appearance in Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 resurrected the rumors in 2017. Nonetheless, the truth remains intact that it was not Disney’s final words.
