by Patricia Sabina

Created on: May 23, 2009

As a child growing up in Burbank, Wayne Allwine said he had always wanted to work for Disney Studios but he didn't know how to get in. Not only did he find his way in, but he became the voice of one of the world's most famous and beloved cartoon characters, that of Mickey Mouse, a role which he was to play for 32 years.

As a teenager and musician Wayne played in a local jazz band. The father of the band's leader, Bob Jackman, happened to work in the Music department at the Studios. Bob gave Wayne an application form and a recommendation and he finally got a job in the mail room. He was in!

He started as a gofer in the mailroom, then in time was invited by the mailroom boss to take a walk around the studios and see if there was anything else he would like to do. He chose wardrobe where he worked for a time then he came back to the mailroom. Growing restless, he finally made the decision to leave and just two months after he left the studios, he got the call that would be his lucky break.

Wayne was asked if he wanted to come in and learn to do Jimmy MacDonald's job. Jimmy was a brilliant sound technician, who invented and made objects for creating sound. Following Jimmy's lead, Wayne learned how to create sound effects. Then when Jimmy began having trouble holding the falsetto for Mickey's voice, the Studio decided to hold an open audition to recruit a new voice. When one of the actor's didn't show up, they called for Wayne. He was told later to call the screen actors guild, because they were going to use him. Wayne became the voice of Mickey Mouse.

The first voice of Mickey was played by Walt Disney himself in his first film with sound in 1928. A naturally high baritone, in time smoking and the ageing process would lower the pitch of his voice. In 1955 Walt handed the role to Jimmy MacDonald who carried it for the next 22 years.

When he was asked about playing the character of Mickey Mouse, Wayne said, "It's funny how in time you realise that you take on the characteristics of the character and you start to see them in yourself - I have all his nave qualities, and optimistic qualities."

Wayne's wife, Russi Taylor, became the voice of Minnie Mouse in 1986 and for the last 22 years, together they have played the two most famous cartoon characters in the world. Mickey and Minnie are a symbol of undying and unconditional love. Through there work together they have brought much joy and laughter to children and adults alike.

Wayne's death in May 2009 came as a shock to many. It is hard to imagine another voice as Mickey but as Wayne said himself, "Jimmy's advice to me was to keep the character in check and to keep my ego in check, he told me to remember that I am only filling in for the boss. So it's not about me, it's about Mickey and Mickey is Walt's. I have to keep it alive until the next one comes along."

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