Home » Latest » Celebrity » 10 Disney Cartoon Characters Based On Real Life People

10 Disney Cartoon Characters Based On Real Life People

6

InfoSearched 13 0 Celebrity

7.8

SaveSavedRemoved 3

10 famous people who were the inspiration behind Disney’s biggest characters.

Have you ever watched a cartoon character and been reminded of someone else? That might not be simply a coincidence, as there are plenty of cartoon characters based on real life people. Animation studios used actual humans to act as visual and live-action reference for the cartoonists to bring their creations to life as realistically as possible. And then famous actors also inspired certain characters. Sounds pretty cool, huh? But not everyone has been happy about his or her likeness being used.

Back in the golden age of Disney movies, there were a couple of women who pulled double duty. And that’s why you might have noticed similarities between some characters. Did you ever get a sense of déjà vu watching Maleficent in “Sleeping Beauty” and the Wicked Stepmother in “Cinderella”? That’s because Eleanor Audley voiced both, and was the visual reference for them too. And Marge Champion was the basis for Snow White as well as the Blue Fairy in “Pinocchio”. Both of these women were committed to their roles, wearing huge props like Maleficent’s headdress and Snow White’s football helmet to help animators get a sense of scale. Margaret Kerry also posed with oversized props as the basis for Tinker Bell.

In more recent years, studios have taken inspiration from famous actors and actresses for some of their animated characters. In “Aladdin” there’s not one but two such examples. Aladdin himself was modeled on Tom Cruise, while the Genie was not only voiced by Robin Williams, but inspired by him too. And “The Little Mermaid” Ariel’s face was based on Alyssa Milano as a child actor on “Who’s The Boss”. The way the actress found out is pretty funny. Ariel’s movements were based on Disney producer and writer Sherri Stoner, who literally swam in a tank of water. But she got to stay on dry land when she also acted as the model for Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”.

Some characters are inspired by friends and acquaintances of the directors and creators. “Batman: The Animated Series” villain Harley Quinn was inspired by writer Paul Dini’s college friend Arleen Sorkin. And Ursula the Sea Witch from “The Little Mermaid” was based on the producer’s drag queen acquaintance Divine aka Glenn Milstead. While some of these connections are confirmed, others remain rumors, like ‘The French Angel’ wrestler Maurice Tillet being the basis for Shrek. And then there are those who aren’t impressed with the connection, like Helen Kane, who filed an infringement lawsuit against the creators of Betty Boop for the “deliberate caricature” of herself. She lost.

Who was the real-life inspiration for the character of Anastasia in Disney’s 1997 animated movie?

Disney’s animated characters have captured hearts and imaginations for generations. From classic favorites like Mickey Mouse to contemporary superheroes like Elsa, Disney characters have become a staple in popular culture. But did you know that some of your favorite Disney cartoon characters are actually based on real-life people? Here are 10 examples of Disney characters that were inspired by historical figures:

1. Pocahontas

Disney’s Pocahontas was based on the real-life Native American woman of the same name, who was born in present-day Virginia around 1595. Her story has been romanticized in popular culture, but the actual historical figure’s life was much more complex.

2. Anastasia

While the Anastasia portrayed in the popular 1997 animated movie of the same name is a work of fiction, her character was inspired by the real-life Anastasia Nikolaevna, a Russian grand duchess who was famously executed with her family during the Russian Revolution.

3. Alice in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland became a popular children’s book and an animated Disney classic. The character of Alice was based on a real-life girl named Alice Liddell, whom Carroll befriended and which he told the stories to.

4. The Little Mermaid

Disney’s The Little Mermaid was inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Andersen’s inspiration for the story was a woman named Edvard Collin, who was the unrequited love of his life.

5. Tarzan

The character of Tarzan, who was raised by apes in the jungle, was inspired by real-life accounts of feral children. One such child was John Ssebunya, who was raised by monkeys in Uganda and later reintegrated into human society.

6. Hercules

The story of Hercules has been told for millennia, but Disney’s version was inspired by Greek mythology. The character of Hercules was based on the legendary hero of the same name, known for his strength and bravery in battling monsters and completing impossible feats.

7. Mulan

Disney’s Mulan was based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in her father’s place in the army. The story has been adapted into plays, movies, and other media over the years.

8. Robin Hood

Disney’s Robin Hood is a classic tale of a heroic outlaw who robs from the rich and gives to the poor. The character was inspired by the legends of the real-life English outlaw Robin Hood, who is said to have stolen from the wealthy and given to the poor during the 12th century.

9. Aladdin

The character of Aladdin was inspired by The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian folk tales. The stories in the collection were originally told orally and later written down over centuries.

10. Belle from Beauty and the Beast

Disney’s Belle was based on a young woman named Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, who wrote the original fairy tale. The story has been adapted several times over the years, including in animated form as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

In conclusion, Disney’s animated characters may be fictional, but many of them have been inspired by real-life people and events. By drawing on history, mythology, and cultural traditions, Disney has created some of the most beloved characters in pop culture history.