Walt Disney | Mickey Mouse Voice | Side By Side Comparison

On November 1st 1940, Walt Disney released the short film Mr. Mouse Takes A Trip. While it was nothing special at the time, it has since grown some historical significance, as Walt Disney himself was filmed recording his lines as Mickey Mouse for it, making it one of the only times he was shown doing his voice on camera. Alongside him is actor Billy Bletcher the voice of Pete.

I've synced up the filmed recording session, with the final short for this side by side comparison, as well as footage of Disney sound effects head, Jimmy MacDonald, and his team making some of the sound effects featured in a cartoon like this. Enjoy!

Bret Iwan | Mickey Mouse Voice Here:

Clips From:
Mr. Mouse Takes A Trip (1940)
Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2 (Bonus Features): Walt Disney Performing the Voice of Mickey (2005)
Disneyland S2 Ep 18: A Day in the Life of Donald Duck (1956)
The Reluctant Dragon (1941)
Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2 (Bonus Features): The Voice Behind the Mouse (2005)
The Disney Family Album S1 Ep 4: Jimmy MacDonald (1984)

*ALL OF THE ABOVE CLIPS ARE OWNED BY THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY I OWN NONE*

[Thomas_H._Smith]

If you enjoyed video, please check out the rest of my voice actor side by side comparison videos right here

Also if you have any suggestions about voice actors you'd like to see share them in comments.

Please only recommend actors where you know of footage of them performing as their characters.

[andydoms]

The fact Walt Disney went that far for Mickey Mouse by voicing him himself is very commendable.

[champbaka]

I absolutely remember this episode as a kid and just literally discovered that Walt himself was Mickey’s voice just a few minutes ago

[jasobres]

What I find fascinating is not just Walt being the voice for Mickey, but also Billy Bletcher being only 5'2" and yet having a powerful commanding booming baritone voice.

[jalapeno]

Fun fact: When Roy Disney was making the opening speech for Walt Disney World in 1971, he spontaneously called up the Mickey Mouse character to stand beside him. When asked why he did that, he said "I needed my brother near me". Mickey truly IS Walt Disney.

[pokaay]

I went wide-eyed when I saw pete’s VA was born in the 1800s. Granted it was the 1890s, but wow, really puts into perspective how old yet still relatively new modern animation and synchronized animated voice acting is. That’s crazy, because the 1800s feel like so long ago, but in the grand scheme of things it really wasn’t.

[El_Andru]

I had zero idea that Walt voiced Mickey.

Thats insane.

[riofanl]

It's insane that there's footage of him literally doing the voice

[theotherjared]

Walt's Mickey has the same vibe as Jim Henson's Kermit. It's not a voice that's been tuned to perfection like their successors, but it feels natural. They could just turn the voice on and talk forever in character without sounding strained after a while.

[princesspixel]

To be honest, I find Classic cartoons even more fun to watch when you think about how sound effects are made! Just imagine what it’s like making sounds for a Tom and Jerry cartoon

[sirchandarius]

The pure joy in Billy and Walt's face gives me life.

[motilalmotilal]

Walt Disney seems like the nicest guy on Earth. Genuine, down to Earth and loved his craft plenty.

[xms]

2:32 After they switched the turns they looked directly into the camera... love it !

[Werewolf_Korra]

It's weird to see the apparently towering Walt voice the Mouse while the much shorter Billy voiced the big villain.

[Asaylum]

You can tell how much the original voice actors had so much fun doing their roles. Also, it suprises me Walt Disney himself voiced Mickey. Explains why Mickey has become Disney's mascot for years.

[PhoenixPrime]

I used to watch a bunch of Disney cartoons and classics as a young lass, and I only RECENTLY found out that Walt Disney himself was the original voice of Mickey! Like... WOW!!!!

[SebbeB]

Love seeing how they made the sound effects using practical means.

[dallasjewett]

Walt Disney did a great job as Mickey Mouse. Rest In Peace Walt Disney

[marette]

Mickey's laugh at 2:21 is so iconic and absolutely adorable! I think Walt did a great job creating his voice 👍

[arealhumanbeing]

It's kinda uncanny seeing Walt, while wearing a suit, doing the voice of Mickey, but kind of wholesome at the same time