Walter Elias Disney, was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago. He developed an early interest in drawing and took art classes as a boy and got a job as a commercial illustrator. He had 4 siblings with Elias (dad) and Flora (mom). Disney had a strict and religous father who often physically abused his children. The disney family moved to a farm in Marceline, Missouri. He dropped out of high school at the age 17 to serve in World War 1. Walt drove an ambulance during the war. His dad was working as a building contractor when Walt was born. On the farm Walter developed his love of animals. The farm failed so they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Walter helped his father deliever newspapers, he also worked selling candy and newspapers on the train. After a short break as an ambulance driver, he returned to Kansas City. Walt made crude animated cartoons. In 1922 he had set up his own shop and was partners with Ub Iwerks, Ub Iwerks drawing ability and technical skills were major factors in Disney's eventual success. Disney died on December 15, 1966 because he was a heavy smoker and died of lung cancer.