Walt Disney’s mom Flora died shortly after he filmed Snow White. Tragically,because of a faulty furnace, she suffocated in the new Hollywood home that was purchased because of her sons’ success after living in the home for less than a month. Walt’s mom died on the scene, but his father survived after being treated at the hospital and lived for another three years. Who doesn’t want to be able to buy a house for their parents?
Does that explain why so many Disney mom’s die tragically, either before or during each Disney film? She was alive before Snow White was filmed, so I don’t necessarily think that explains everything – but I do think that it contributes a bit – I’ve heard that Walt constantly grieved for his mom and felt partially responsible for her death.
I’ll never forget the scene where Bambi loses his mom. And I cry almost every time that Dumbo tries to visit his mom in jail.
While many of the original fairy tales include the death of parents as part of the story line, mothers are noticeably absent for most of the films, while fathers are usually present.
They say that Walt Disney was forever haunted by the death of his mother, who is now buried, along with Walt and the rest of his family, in Forest Memorial Park in Glendale California.
Time goes by slowly, especially without a mom in your life. And for Walt, as talented as he was, time went by the slowest that it could. We do know his mom had to be proud of him. What mom wouldn’t be?
NAME THE DISNEY CHARACTER WITH MISSING OR DEAD PARENTS
- SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
- PINOCCHIO
- BAMBI
- THE FOX AND THE HOUND
- CINDERELLA
- PETER PAN
- THE SWORD IN THE STONE
- THE RESCUERS
- THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE
- FROZEN
- THE LITTLE MERMAID
- A GOOFY MOVIE
- ALADDIN & JASMINE
- SIMBA FROM THE LION KING
- THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE
- LILO & STITCH
- FINDING NEMO
- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
- RATATOUILLE
- TRON: LEGACY
- WRECK IT RALPH
- BIG HERO SIX
- DUMBO
- ENCHANTED
- THE JUNGLE BOOK
- ATLANTIS, THE LOST EMPIRE
- THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME ”
- BROTHER BEAR
- BOLT
Have you SEEN The Lion King and Brave? Simba and Merida HAVE MOTHERS! in fact Brave that is pretty much THE PLOT OF THE ENTIRE MOVIE!
yes – my article also refers to both parents. Simba’s dad died but thanks so much for pointing out Merida, I got confused. Also didn’t mean to confuse people with the article title and then include all parents. Maybe I should have been more clear – I highlighted mom but entitled the list “missing or dead parents” characters!!:)
Some would argue that Mufasa isn’t actually dead either
While Mufasa’s spirit still talks to Simba I think his death is the basis of most of the plot.
Some would argue that Mufasa wasn’t actually dead
Why does the format keep changing in this list?
I have no idea. I will look into it.
I get what you mean by format now, I will rephrase everything to make it more clear, thanks for the feedback
You need to keep the format all the same or it doesnt make sense
thanks I will work on it.
You listed Peter Pan twice….
I just fixed it. I unfortunately wrote the list the way I write everything, without triple checking. Thanks for checking and letting me know.. it’s a working list and I am not perfect it’s just a topic I’ve always been interested in!
I’m confused what the picture of the boat has to do with Disney parents?
It’s just a picture I took. I like it. Also, a boat alone on the water could be a character alone on the water.
Ok but what about “Unchained Melody”?
another artistic choice. It’s a sad song, but beautiful.
Are you saying that every character in Atlantis, Big Hero 6, Enchanted etc. don’t have parents?
no not every character.