February 05: Born This Day

Actor Jonathan Freeman was born on this day in 1950 in Ohio.
What's his Disney connection?

Click HERE to find out.

February 02: The Guy Looks Familiar

You might not know his name ... but the guy looks familiar.

This comedian/actor was a regular on the Touchstone Television sitcoms Home Improvement (as Harry the hardware store owner) and Boy Meets World (as Chet Hunter, father of Shawn). He's also been frequently cast in Adam Sandler films such as The Waterboy, 50 First Dates and Bedtime Stories.

His name is Blake Clark and he was born on this day in 1946 in Macon, Georgia. He supplied the voice of Slinky Dog in Toy Story 3, a role originated by the late Jim Varney. The two were actually close friends and Clark's ability to mimic Varney's voice allowed the Toy Story character to live on in Pixar's third installment.

With a career filled with hundreds of television episodes, Blake also portrayed Uncle Mel in an episode of Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie.

A Vietnam Veteran (and decorated Infantry Platoon Leader), Blake recently traveled to Iraq for an extended USO Tour with fellow-comedian Drew Carey.

Click HERE for more February 02 Disney history.

January 31: Two For Giacchino

Composer Michael Giacchino was awarded twice at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards for his contributions to Up on this day in 2010.

Known for his scores to such Pixar films as The Incredibles and Ratatouille, Giacchino's music for Up won Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television, Or Other Visual Media, and Best Instrumental Composition - for the song "Married Life."

Giacchino had already won a Golden Globe for Best Musical Score a few weeks earlier and a little more than a month later, his Up music would also win an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

Click HERE for much more January 31 Disney history.

January 30: "I'm Going to Disney World!"

Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith shouted the famous phrase "I'm going to Disney World!" on this day in 1994 at Super Bowl XXVIII played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Smith had good reason to shout ... the Dallas Cowboys won over the Buffalo Bills 30-13 and he was named the Super Bowl MVP. (It was the 8th television commercial by Disney to feature a Super Bowl athlete and Smith would appear in another just two years later.)

Click HERE for more January 30 Disney history.

January 29: Once Upon A Dream

Disney's Princess Aurora awoke for the very first time when the animated Sleeping Beauty premiered in California on this day in 1959. Based on a fairy tale by Charles Perrault, Sleeping Beauty was the last fairy tale produced by Disney until 1989's The Little Mermaid.

Click HERE for more Sleeping Beauty and January 29 Disney history.

January 28: Cirque Comes to WDW

It was on this day in 1999 that Cirque du Soleil first debuted in Florida at Downtown Disney West End.

A Canadian entertainment company which offers a mix of circus arts and street entertainment, its Central Florida home is located behind DisneyQuest and across from House of Blues.
Known for its shows all around the world, Cirque features acrobats, clowns, dancers and contortionists (but no animals) in a family-oriented family presentation.

Click HERE for more January 28 Disney history.

January 27: The Voice Behind Rémy

On this day in 1969, comedian, actor & writer Patton Oswalt was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Disney/Pixar fans know him as the voice of Rémy in the 2007 Ratatouille.

Click HERE for more January 27 Disney history.