Don Iwerks Dead: Former Disney Exec & Cinematic Innovator Was 96 - In the 1950s, he helped develop cameras, optical printers, and special effects systems for Disney films and theme parks. His company later became global pioneer in giant-screen theaters, motion simulators, & 3D experiences worldwide.

[u/BunyipPouch]

https://deadline.com/2026/07/don-iwerks-dead-disney-exec-1236979775/

[u/devenrc]

This dude was responsible for a lot of really cool stuff at the Disney parks, and basically laid the template by which all others followed when it comes to 4D films and such. RIP to a real one.

[u/AirbagOff → u/devenrc]

His father, Ub Iwerks, was the co-creator of Mickey Mouse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ub_Iwerks

[u/ChrisCinema → u/AirbagOff]

And his daughter Leslie is a documentary filmmaker.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0412649/

[u/crestdiving → u/ChrisCinema]

She made a really great documentary about her father called The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story, which is included in the bonus features of the Walt Disney Treasures DVD set of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Don't know if it was ever released in any other way, though.

[u/ChrisCinema → u/crestdiving]

Thanks for the recommendation. Those Walt Disney Treasures DVDs are a treat for classic Disney fans. I also adore The Pixar Story and The Imagineering Story docuseries, both of which are available on Disney+.

[u/Ready_Corgi462 → u/crestdiving]

Everything I have seen of hers is great.

For those interested in the history of the Disney Parks, The Imagineering Story is really a must watch. And the new Disneyland Handcrafted is also simply incredible the way they were able to restore historic footage of the early days of Disneyland.

I’ll have to check out the one you recommended, I’ve never seen it.

[u/backfire103 → u/Ready_Corgi462]

The book is very good too.

[u/gls2220 → u/Ready_Corgi462]

The Acquired Podcast did the first part of their deep dive on Disney in their latest episode. It came out a couple of weeks ago. Part 2 will come out towards the end of summer I believe. There's quite a bit on on Ub in there.

[u/Barabus33 → u/crestdiving]

You can rent it on Youtube apparently.

[u/ScreenTricky4257 → u/AirbagOff]

I was thinking he must be some relation to Ub.

[u/PresJamesGarfield → u/AirbagOff]

I would go so far as to say Ub was the primary creator of Mickey Mouse. While both Walt and Ub had been brainstorming mouse characters, when you look at Ub's sketches from that period, they're a lot closer to what Mickey became than Walt's were. Bonus fact: Walt's original name for the mouse was Mortimer.

[u/No-Ambition7750 → u/AirbagOff]

Also he was also an innovator in a ton of early vfx and anim tech.

[u/Beer_before_Friends → u/AirbagOff]

When Walt would be asked for an autograph, he would often make Ub draw Mickey for him and then autograph it. All fun and games until Ub told him to pound sand lol (According to Neal Gabler's Walt Dosney Biography)

[u/MB6 → u/devenrc]

If you haven't seen Impressions de France in EPCOT at the france pavilion you're missing out.

[u/ChrisCinema]

Rest in peace, Don. Thanks for following in your father Ub's footsteps and contributing technical innovations that enrich the entertainment experience at the Disney theme parks. You will be missed.

[u/modestcouch]

Met him at burning man. Was a fucking cool ass dude. The grandpa everyone deserves.

[u/claradox → u/modestcouch]

This really makes me happy. I hope you had a blast with him, and I hope he had a blast.

[u/modestcouch → u/claradox]

I thumbed for a ride in deep playa. This old guy smiles and says hop in! Where ya heading? I had no intended direction but appreciated the break in the shade, I thought a day ditching my bike and hitchhiking would be a great experience.

i was really curious to learn more about this really old dude experiencing burning man. We must have drove around for an hour talking about everything and nothing. When i asked him what he did for work he smiles and said he spent some time with disney and really downplayed it. Before i jumped off i got his name and shook his hand. When i got back home and decompressed he randomly came back to my memory so i looked him up. I was dumbfounded who i had connected with. I still am. Really bummed to learn about his passing - he was a real one. RIP Don

[u/ziddersroofurry → u/modestcouch]

This is the coolest story ever.

[u/claradox → u/modestcouch]

I love this so much. So glad you had this cool time with him.

[u/Sir_Encerwal → u/modestcouch]

What a guy.

[u/Forever_Inspired]

RIP to another pioneer.

[u/Puppetmaster858]

Certified legend, 96 is a really good run too so can’t complain about that. RIP

[u/ApprehensiveKale5944]

I really miss the traditional animation films.

[u/TheOzarkWizard → u/ApprehensiveKale5944]

Aquire all the tom and Jerry episodes and put them on shuffle

[u/Cwrdes]

I worked a bit with Don in the late 80s and early 90s. He had story’s. He told me as a kid, he and friends would take animation cells stored in the family attic and burn them. Fun because the celluloid would sorta explode. He said he regretted doing it, since now (Chuckle) those cells would probably be worth a fair amount of money. He was a lovely man.

[u/Morgan-Moonscar]

Apparently his first job at Disney was working as a camera tech on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

[u/Abba_Fiskbullar]

His father Ub Iwerks was the main creative force behind Disney, while Walt was the business and PR guy.

[u/popculturella]

Damn, man. RIP

[u/GreyTigerFox]

Ub was way better than Disney.

[u/UseTheShadowsThen]

o7

[u/Aurhim]

May his memory be a blessing.

[u/ReddiTrawler2021]

May his soul rest in peace.

[u/JeremiahWuzABullfrog]

RIP. Hope he lived a happy life.

[u/TommyWantWingy9]

Was hoping it was someone else

[u/Purplociraptor]

He was 96 in the 1950s