Walt Disney is a name synonymous with fairytales, magic, and childhood wonder. However, people are now finding out more about the man behind it all and the secret career he once had.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the U.S. was experiencing growing fears about the influence of communism, particularly within the entertainment industry. In this period, which was also hailed the Golden Age of animation, entertainment was seen as a powerful tool that could be used to shape public opinion.
Disney was an American animator, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, best known for creating the world's most adored mouse, pioneering feature-length animated films, and founding the Disney entertainment empire. He developed an early interest in drawing and storytelling, and after moving to Hollywood in the 1920s, he co-founded his animation studio and revolutionized animation with innovations like synchronized sound, Technicolor, and full-length animated features. His work is still adored today, reshaping family entertainment, inspiring theme parks, and an everlasting mark on culture.
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An aspect of Disney's life that many people are still unaware of happened on November 10, 1940, when he was recruited by the FBI to spy on his own workers as an informant. By this point he had already created Mickey Mouse in 1928, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a hit in 1937, and 1940 marked the release of Pinocchio.
Disney worked with the FBI to monitor and undermine union activity at his studio. After a 1941 animators’ strike at Walt Disney Studios, he publicly labeled many striking workers as communists before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
In 1954, Disney was officially designated a “Special Agent in Charge Contact” and continued providing information to the FBI until his death in 1966.
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In May 1993, Disney’s link to the FBI and Hoover was disclosed. In return for the information Disney provided, Hoover allowed Disney to film in FBI headquarters in Washington. Meanwhile, Disney allowed Hoover access to some scripts, and made small changes to ‘a few lesser-known movies’ and an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club, as reported by The New York Times. There is no evidence suggesting that revisions were requested on any of the iconic Disney animated features.
This little-known chapter of Disney’s career—long hidden from the public—played a surprisingly significant role, and some Disney fans have started to uncover the full story.
On the 85th anniversary of Disney’s side-career, accounts on X (formerly Twitter) posted about the news. “This is news to me,” said one fan.
“Disney became a what?” another shocked social media user posted in response.
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“I had no idea,” shared another.
So, behind the magic of Mickey and the castles, Disney’s life had its share of surprises.