Eric Larson was a Disney animator, and later became a Disney Legend. Yet, Eric did not want to work at the Disney Company in the beginning. He ended up there by chance, wanted to quit, was talked into staying, and became the company’s longest-serving employee at the time of his retirement. This is Eric’s intriguing story from reluctant employee to beloved Disney treasure.
Darlene Gillespie is one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club. The most popular cast member in the first season, her popularity was usurped by Annette Funicello in the second season and thereafter. Darlene enjoyed a career in medicine, before becoming a petty criminal, and even did some jail time, before retiring to a respectable life. This is her intriguing tale.
Les Clark was one of the longest-serving animators at the Walt Disney Company, and the first of the famous “Nine Old Men” animators of the early days of the company. He started out literally being discovered by Walt himself when he was working in an ice cream shop in high school. This is his story of making his way up in the company.
Vesey Walker was the director of the Disneyland Band for fifteen years. In what was supposed to be a two week engagement at the opening of the park, Vesey created a band so well received by visitors that it is still there to this day, just with a different leader. Here is Vesey and the band’s incredible story.
