Walt Before Mickey

A curious, persistent teenager who channels sketches into a broader dream of animated storytelling. He moves from Kansas City to California with a resilient will to own his work, enduring setbacks like studio bankruptcy and shifting partnerships. His vision combines imagination with an uncompromising belief in creative control, driving him to found a new studio and create a character he can truly own.

Walt's steadfast brother and collaborator, a practical counterbalance to Walt's idealism. He provides financial support and stability, keeping the dream alive through rough patches and health challenges. Roy's presence grounds the studio's ambitions and helps navigate the business side of early animation.

A key creative partner whose talent and persistence push the early animation experiments forward. Ub's collaboration with Walt in the barn studio helps translate rough ideas into working visuals. He remains a crucial ally as they reforge the studio's direction after setbacks.

A fellow animator who joins the Laugh-O-Grams crew, contributing to the energetic, experimental atmosphere. His presence signals the collaborative nature of the early animation scene and the importance of diverse creative input. Friz's involvement foreshadows his later influence in the industry.

A partner in the early animation ventures whose enthusiasm helps drive the Laugh-O-Grams experiments. Rudy's collaboration with Walt and Ub embodies the spirit of a collaborative, risk-taking studio culture. He represents the growing community that surrounds Disney's ambitious projects.

Walt's partner in life and work, hired as an ink artist during the Alice Comedies era. Their relationship blends romance with professional collaboration, underscoring how personal and creative partnerships intertwine in building a foundational studio.

A New York distributor who backs the Alice project, representing the pivotal business side of Disney's early ventures. Her involvement highlights the negotiations and risks of bringing animated work to a wider audience. Winkler's support helps propel the fledgling studio toward larger ambitions.

Distributor and creator figure who controls key rights and tests the limits of ownership in the animation landscape. His role introduces conflict over who owns the work and the terms of collaboration, pushing Walt to choose independence over compromising on his creations.

Star of the Alice Comedies, whose performances anchor the live-action–animation hybrid experiments. Her presence helps illustrate how early animation blended different media forms and storytelling techniques. She embodies the core creative output of the initial Disney experiments.

Roy's girlfriend in the early years, who becomes part of the domestic and creative life surrounding the studio. Her relationship with Roy mirrors the interwoven personal and professional networks that sustain the early company.

Executive figure involved with the distribution network and local theaters, representing the external pressures and opportunities that shape the early business decisions of the Disney team. His role highlights the commercial stakes behind animated projects.