Celebrities mark the 90th anniversary of ‘True Original’ Mickey Mouse
Photographer RANKIN to release book of ‘Mickey Mouse & Me’ celebrity portraits in aid of Together for Short Lives
Some of the world’s most famous faces have come together in support of the UK charity, Together for Short Lives, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse this year and pay tribute to the cultural impact he has had on the world.
Icons from the worlds of fashion, film, music, TV and entertainment including Kate Moss, Mark Hamill, Tinie Tempah, Phillip Schofield, Amanda Holden and Heidi Klum have been photographed by RANKIN in a range of portraits to be released in a book to celebrate 90 years of Mickey from simple sketch to cultural icon. As well as the pop culture icons, families who have received help from Together for Short Lives will also appear in the book.
The special edition book, ‘Mickey Mouse & Me’, will include portraits of the cultural icons and families paying tribute to the inspirational impact of the “true original” Mickey Mouse, by posing with a special edition black and white statue of Mickey, who first appeared on screen in Steamboat Willie in 1928. It will also feature images of the world’s biggest TV and film stars, musicians and models wearing the iconic ears and giant white gloves Mickey Mouse is renowned for, plus their stories on the influence of Walt Disney’s most famous creation on their lives.
The books will be made available exclusively on online marketplace, eBay, in the summer with all proceeds going to Together for Short Lives, the UK charity which speaks out for and provides vital support to seriously and terminally ill children, ensuring they receive the care they need and deserve. Echoing Mickey Mouse’s personality as a ‘true original’, the UK charity believes that each child is unique and has the right to lead enriching lives with their families.
Over 30 celebrities in total have been photographed for the book celebrating the 90th anniversary with other names including actress Sadie Frost, X Factor winner Louisa Johnson, The Hunger Games star Sam Claflin, comedian Julian Clary, presenter Katie Piper, Bollywood actress Amy Jackson, Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger star Hayley Atwell, ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, millennial model Kim Turnbull, rapper Professor Green, model Fae Williams, presenter Laura Whitmore, actress and model Liv Tyler, as well as a rare shot of the man behind the camera, RANKIN.
Rankin, who brought all the icons together for the book, comments: “Mickey Mouse amazed me as a kid and Disney Fantasia made me want to be involved in film. He is much more than a character, but a symbol of optimism, hope and inspiration for people from every walk of life, and you can see his influence in my photography over the years. This book pays tribute to the inspirational impact he has had on a generation and his journey from simple sketch to cultural icon over 90 years. We’ve had a lot of fun making it, owe a debt of gratitude to those involved and I hope we raise a lot of money for an incredible charity.”
Anna Hill, Chief Marketing Officer of Disney UK, added: “Mickey Mouse has been bringing generations together for 90 years and no other character quite holds that same place in the hearts and minds of people around the world. He is the “true original”, Walt’s most famous creation and a cultural icon who continues to inspire the worlds of film, TV, fashion, music and sport, whilst bringing hope to many. We’re delighted to have some of the country’s most famous faces and families that have been supported by Together for Short Lives pay tribute to his influence on their lives and join them all in wishing Mickey Mouse a very happy 90th!”
Barbara Gelb OBE, CEO for Together for Short Lives, said: “Together for Short Lives is so honoured to join the very special celebrations for Mickey’s 90th anniversary. Mickey Mouse is loved by millions of children and families all over the globe, and his anniversary celebrations are now helping to bring even more magic and love to the UK’s 49,000 seriously ill children and young people. Happy birthday Mickey Mouse, and thank you – your support for our charity is priceless.”
Mickey Mouse first appeared in Steamboat Willie, the first cartoon to air with synchronised sound, on 18 November 1928 and has been inspiring popular culture ever since. He was the first cartoon character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has appeared in more than 120 animated titles to date.
Sadie Frost comments: “I just loved all the old Mickey cartoons. They made me feel so safe and comforted.”
Laura Whitmore comments: “Mickey Mouse is more than a character, he represents that innocence and playfulness in all of us.
Julian Clary comments: “When I was four I can remember the theme music and it made me laugh. Mickey Mouse is the physical embodiment of laughter.”
Phillip Schofield comments: “Mickey Mouse to me means safety, comfort and tradition. A general wash of happiness.”
‘MICKEY MOUSE & ME’ FEATURING:
Mickey Mouse & Me features over 30 high profile names and families from Together for Short Lives including:
- Kate Moss
- Mark Hamill
- Tinie Tempah
- Phillip Schofield
- Amanda Holden
- Sadie Frost
- Louisa Johnson
- Sam Claflin
- Heidi Klum
- Katie Piper
- Hayley Atwell
- Julian Clary
- Professor Green
- Liv Tyler
- Amy Jackson
- Kim Turnbull
- Laura Whitmore
- Fae Williams
- Olivia Grant
- Sergei Polunin
- Jean Campbell
- Achok
- Rose Daniels
- Lily Nova
- Pasha Harulia
- EZ
- Cora Corrè
- Finlay Kemp
- Raff Law
- Rudy Law
- Off Bloom
- Olivia Anakwe
- Veronika Vilm
- Families from Together for Short Lives
- RANKIN
10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MICKEY MOUSE
- On 18th November 2018, Mickey Mouse made his theatrical debut in Steamboat Willie, the first-ever fully synchronised sound animated short cartoon
- Mickey Mouse was voiced by his creator Walt Disney for almost 20 years
- For his 50th anniversary in 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- In 1932 Walt Disney received his first Academy Awards®, one of them being a Special Award for the creation of Mickey Mouse
- Mickey was originally going to be called Mortimer
- He was the first cartoon character to speak and his first words were ‘Hot Dogs!’
- An oversize Mickey Mouse balloon first made its appearance in the 1934 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, and Disney characters have been popular subjects for the parade ever since
- Mickey Mouse was featured on the very first licensed Disney merchandise – a child’s writing tablet which was sold in 1930
- Mickey has four fingers on each hand, a choice that was first and foremost aesthetic
- To date, Mickey has appeared in more than 120 animated titles
For more pictures, stories and behind the scenes footage of celebrities joining in the celebrations of Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary, go to www.disney.co.uk./mickeyxrankin.
– Ends –
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY UK & IRELAND
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $55.1 billion in its last fiscal year (FY17).
The Walt Disney Company has operated in the UK & Ireland for over 80 years, employing more than 3,300 people, and is dedicated to creating innovative, entertainment experiences for children and families. The Disney brand is experienced in a number of ways across the UK & Ireland including in cinemas, on stage, via its streaming app DisneyLife, on TV screens with Disney-branded channels and through a wide range of consumer products that are sold at mass market retailers and in Disney Stores. Now in its fifth year, Disney’s partnership with Public Health England and the ’10 Minute Shake Up’ campaign has seen over 2 million kids get active with over 100 million extra minutes of physical activity being completed.
The “Mickey Mouse & Me” campaign is part The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland’s social purpose programme, where we work in partnership with others to help build emotional resilience. Together we bring the power of our brand, stories and characters to inspire and create Moments that Matter for children and those closest to them, when they need it the most.
ABOUT MICKEY MOUSE
Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on 18th November 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality continue to delight fans around the world every day.
ABOUT RANKIN
RANKIN is a British photographer, publisher and film director. With a portfolio ranging from portraiture to documentary, he has shot The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner and The Queen to name only a few. RANKIN co-founded the seminal magazine Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in 1992, and has since published the likes of AnOther and AnOther Man, alongside over 40 books and the biannual fashion, culture and lifestyle print and digital platform, Hunger. RANKIN lives in London with his wife Tuuli and their four dogs, Tombi, Pickle, Beans and Squidge.
ABOUT EBAY
eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2017, eBay enabled $88 billion of gross merchandise volume.
For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
About Together for Short Lives
Together for Short Lives is the charity providing a unified voice for thousands of children with life-limiting conditions, their families and those that support them.
49,000 children and young people are living in the UK with conditions that are life-limiting or life-threatening.
Hearing the news that your child has a life-limiting condition and is likely to die young is completely devastating. For tens of thousands of families in the UK this is the reality. These children have very complex and unpredictable conditions and often need round the clock care, seven days a week.
Together for Short Lives is a UK wide charity that, together with our members, speaks out for all children and young people who are expected to have short lives. We are here to help children and their families to access specialist children’s palliative care services when and where they need it. We provide information, so families know where to go for support and have the help they need to make the right choices about their child’s care.
Together for Short Lives supports all the professionals, children’s palliative care services and children’s hospices that deliver lifeline care to children and families across the UK.
Together with everyone who provides care and support to these children and families, we are here to help them have as fulfilling lives as possible and the very best care at the end of life. We can’t change the diagnosis, but we can help children and families make the most of their time together.