Today is Donald Duck Day - here’s what you need to know about the Disney character

Here’s everything you need to know about Donald Duck, including his age, his first appearance - and his Scottish connections (Photo: Shutterstock)Here’s everything you need to know about Donald Duck, including his age, his first appearance - and his Scottish connections (Photo: Shutterstock)
Here’s everything you need to know about Donald Duck, including his age, his first appearance - and his Scottish connections (Photo: Shutterstock)

Here’s everything you need to know about Donald Duck, including his age, his first appearance - and his Scottish connections.

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When is Donald Duck’s birthday and how old is he?

Donald Duck was created at Walt Disney Productions in 1934, and made his first appearance on 9 June, which marks his birthday.

He’s now 86 years old, and Donald Duck Day is celebrated every 9 June.

He’s a white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet, who typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie.

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When did he first appear?

Donald first appeared on 9 June 1934 in The Wise Little Hen.

However, it was his second appearance in Orphan's Benefit that showed him as a temperamental comic friend of Mickey Mouse.

Throughout the next two decades, Donald appeared in over 150 theatrical films.

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In the 1930s, the duck typically appeared as part of a comic trio with popular characters Mickey and Goofy and was given his own film series, which started with Don Donald (1937).

What is Donald Duck’s middle name?

Believe it or not, Donald Duck has a middle name. Do you know what it is?

The duck’s unusual middle name is actually Fauntleroy. So his full, official name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck.

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Who is the voice of Donald Duck?

Donald Duck is known for his unique voice. The first voice was performed by Clarence Nash, who voiced him for 50 years. Nash voiced Donald for the last time in Mickey's Christmas Carol, in 1983, which made Donald the only character in the film to be voiced by his original voice actor.

Since Nash died in 1985, Donald's voice has been performed by Disney animator, Tony Anselmo, who was mentored by Nash for the role.

Anselmo's first performance as Donald is heard in a 1986 D-TV special, D-TV Valentine on The Disney Channel, and then in his first feature film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, in 1988.

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Who are the Clan McDuck family?

The Clan McDuck family is a Scottish clan of cartoon ducks from which Scrooge McDuck is descended.

The clan is related to Donald Duck through the marriage of Hortense McDuck and Quackmore Duck, who are his parents.

Donald Duck and Disney Theme Parks

Donald Duck also plays a major role in many Disney theme parks around the world. Over the years, he has appeared in attractions such as Animagique, Mickey Mouse Revue and Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.

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He is also regularly seen in the parks as a meet-and-greet character, with many Donald Duck and Disney fans eager to get a picture and an autograph from him.

The Oregon Duck

The Oregon Duck is the mascot of the University of Oregon Ducks athletic program, and is based on Disney's Donald Duck character, through a special license agreement with Disney.

The mascot wears a green and yellow costume, and a green and yellow beanie cap with the word ‘Oregon’ written on it.

In 1984, Donald Duck was named an honorary alumnus of the University of Oregon during his 50th birthday celebration.

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