Donald Iwerks, son of Mickey Mouse co-creator Ubu Iwerks and whose breakthrough innovations transformed cinematic storytelling and immersive entertainment, died on July 9. He was 96 years old.
Iwerks spent more than 60 years working on projects for the Walt Disney Company and his studio, Iwerks Entertainment. Don is a pioneer in innovations in projection technology, 3D and large-format filmmaking, and immersive attractions that have changed the way audiences experience stories.
Among his innovations were the pioneering Circle-Vision film and the “Captain” 3D camera system.
From “EO” to giant-screen theaters and motion simulator attractions, his work helped shape the future of location-based entertainment while inspiring generations of filmmakers, imagineers, and inventors.
To fans, Iwerks was known as the model for the hand of the audio-animatronic figure of Abraham Lincoln that appears in Awesome Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland.
These original hand-casts became the standard for Disney audio-animatronic figures, earning them the nickname “Iwerks Hands” and appearing on many similar figures at Disney Parks around the world.
“Don embodies the rare combination of heart, ingenuity, and passion that has always defined Disney. Through his groundbreaking contributions to some of the most iconic films and attractions, he has inspired the world “He will be deeply missed by all at The Walt Disney Company, and our deepest condolences go out to his family whose enduring ties to Disney have helped shape its legacy for so many years.” First century. ”
Born on July 24, 1929, Iwerks grew up in a Southern California household where imagination and invention were woven into everyday life. As the eldest son of Disney legends Ubu and Mildred Iwerks, he inherited his father’s inventive spirit.
In 1952, he moved to the famous Studio Machine Shop. There, the self-taught engineer worked with his father to develop cameras, optical printers, and special effects systems, helping to develop innovative technologies that would shape Disney films, attractions, and theme parks for generations, from the original circle-vision camera system to improvements to the sodium traveling matte process used in “Mary Poppins” to numerous projection technologies for Disney attractions around the world.
He co-founded Iwerks Entertainment with former Disney executive Stan Kinsey. Under his technical leadership, the company became a global pioneer in giant screen theaters, motion simulators, and immersive 3D experiences installed in nearly 300 venues in 38 countries, introducing millions of people to new ways to experience storytelling.
His work has earned him the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Honorary Gordon E. Sawyer Award Oscar, the Academy Award for Science and Technology, the Themed Entertainment Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and he was recognized as a Disney Legend in 2009. He and his father were also awarded a dedicated window on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA.
Walt Disney World Resort celebrates Disney’s enduring contributions to storytelling and innovation.
In 2007, Diane Disney Miller commissioned him to restore many of Disney’s historic camera systems, including the original Circle Vision multiplane camera, for display at the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Camera rig, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” underwater camera, optical printer and Technicolor camera used to combine live action and animation
“Mary Poppins”.
At 90, he wrote a biography, Walt Disney’s Ultimate Inventor: The Genius of Ubu Iwerks, published by Disney Editions in 2019, continuing his father’s legacy as co-creator of Mickey Mouse and one of the greatest technological innovators in film history.
Iwerks is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Betty; his sons, Larry, John, wife Chris, and daughter Leslie and great-nephew Mike;
