Rankin Helps Celebrate 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with Cultural Icons
Some of the world’s most famous faces have come together in support of the UK charity, Together for Short Lives, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse this year and pay tribute to the cultural impact he has had on the world.
Icons from the worlds of fashion, film, music, TV and entertainment including Kate Moss, Mark Hamill, Tinie Tempah, Phillip Schofield, Amanda Holden and Heidi Klum have been photographed by RANKIN in a range of portraits to be released in a book to celebrate 90 years of Mickey from simple sketch to cultural icon. As well as the pop culture icons, families who have received help from Together for Short Lives will also appear in the book.
The special edition book, ‘Mickey Mouse & Me’, will include portraits of the cultural icons and families paying tribute to the inspirational impact of the “true original” Mickey Mouse, by posing with a special edition black and white statue of Mickey, who first appeared on screen in Steamboat Willie in 1928. It will also feature images of the world’s biggest TV and film stars, musicians and models wearing the iconic ears and giant white gloves Mickey Mouse is renowned for, plus their stories on the influence of Walt Disney’s most famous creation on their lives.
The books will be made available exclusively on online marketplace, eBay, in the summer with all proceeds going to Together for Short Lives, the UK charity which speaks out for and provides vital support to seriously and terminally ill children, ensuring they receive the care they need and deserve. Echoing Mickey Mouse’s personality as a ‘true original’, the UK charity believes that each child is unique and has the right to lead enriching lives with their families.
Amanda Holden
Over 30 celebrities in total have been photographed for the book celebrating the 90th anniversary with other names including actress Sadie Frost, X Factor winner Louisa Johnson, The Hunger Games star Sam Claflin, comedian Julian Clary, presenter Katie Piper, Bollywood actress Amy Jackson, Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger star Hayley Atwell, ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, millennial model Kim Turnbull, rapper Professor Green, model Fae Williams, presenter Laura Whitmore, actress and model Liv Tyler, as well as a rare shot of the man behind the camera, RANKIN.
Rankin, who brought all the icons together for the book, comments: “Mickey Mouse amazed me as a kid and Disney Fantasia made me want to be involved in film. He is much more than a character, but a symbol of optimism, hope and inspiration for people from every walk of life, and you can see his influence in my photography over the years. This book pays tribute to the inspirational impact he has had on a generation and his journey from simple sketch to cultural icon over 90 years. We’ve had a lot of fun making it, owe a debt of gratitude to those involved and I hope we raise a lot of money for an incredible charity.”
Mark Hamill
Anna Hill, Chief Marketing Officer of Disney UK, added: “Mickey Mouse has been bringing generations together for 90 years and no other character quite holds that same place in the hearts and minds of people around the world. He is the “true original”, Walt’s most famous creation and a cultural icon who continues to inspire the worlds of film, TV, fashion, music and sport, whilst bringing hope to many. We’re delighted to have some of the country’s most famous faces and families that have been supported by Together for Short Lives pay tribute to his influence on their lives and join them all in wishing Mickey Mouse a very happy 90th!”
Barbara Gelb OBE, CEO for Together for Short Lives, said: “Together for Short Lives is so honoured to join the very special celebrations for Mickey’s 90th anniversary. Mickey Mouse is loved by millions of children and families all over the globe, and his anniversary celebrations are now helping to bring even more magic and love to the UK’s 49,000 seriously ill children and young people. Happy birthday Mickey Mouse, and thank you – your support for our charity is priceless.”
Heidi Klum
Mickey Mouse first appeared in Steamboat Willie, the first cartoon to air with synchronised sound, on 18 November 1928 and has been inspiring popular culture ever since. He was the first cartoon character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has appeared in more than 120 animated titles to date.
Sadie Frost comments: “I just loved all the old Mickey cartoons. They made me feel so safe and comforted.”
Laura Whitmore comments: “Mickey Mouse is more than a character, he represents that innocence and playfulness in all of us.”
Julian Clary comments: “When I was four I can remember the theme music and it made me laugh. Mickey Mouse is the physical embodiment of laughter.”
Phillip Schofield comments: “Mickey Mouse to me means safety, comfort and tradition. A general wash of happiness.”
‘MICKEY MOUSE & ME’ FEATURING:
Mickey Mouse & Me features over 30 high profile names and families from Together for Short Lives including:
o Kate Moss
o Mark Hamill
o Tinie Tempah
o Phillip Schofield
o Amanda Holden
o Sadie Frost
o Louisa Johnson
o Sam Claflin
o Heidi Klum
o Katie Piper
o Hayley Atwell
o Julian Clary
o Professor Green
o Liv Tyler
o Amy Jackson
o Kim Turnbull
o Laura Whitmore
o Fae Williams
o Olivia Grant
o Sergei Polunin
o Jean Campbell
o Achok
o Rose Daniels
o Lily Nova
o Pasha Harulia
o EZ
o Cora Corrè
o Finlay Kemp
o Raff Law
o Rudy Law
o Off Bloom
o Olivia Anakwe
o Veronika Vilm
o Families from Together for Short Lives
o RANKIN
Tinie Tempah
10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MICKEY MOUSE
1. On 18th November 2018, Mickey Mouse made his theatrical debut in Steamboat Willie, the first-ever fully synchronised sound animated short cartoon
2. Mickey Mouse was voiced by his creator Walt Disney for almost 20 years
3. For his 50th anniversary in 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
4. In 1932 Walt Disney received his first Academy Awards®, one of them being a Special Award for the creation of Mickey Mouse
5. Mickey was originally going to be called Mortimer
6. He was the first cartoon character to speak and his first words were ‘Hot Dogs!’
7. An oversize Mickey Mouse balloon first made its appearance in the 1934 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, and Disney characters have been popular subjects for the parade ever since
8. Mickey Mouse was featured on the very first licensed Disney merchandise – a child’s writing tablet which was sold in 1930
9. Mickey has four fingers on each hand, a choice that was first and foremost aesthetic
10. To date, Mickey has appeared in more than 120 animated titles
Katie Piper
