Donald Duck is 75-years-old today. The Walt Disney Productions' animated cartoon and comic-book character is a white anthropomorphic duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He usually wears a sailor shirt, cap, and a red or black bowtie, but no pants (except when he goes swimming or wears a towel when stepping out of the shower). Donald's most famous trait is his easily provoked and occasionally explosive temper.
According to Disney canon, particularly in the 1942 short "Donald Gets Drafted", Donald's full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck.
Donald's birthday is officially recognized as June 9, 1934, the day his debut film was released, but in "The Three Caballeros", his birthday is given as simply "Friday the 13th". In "Donald's Happy Birthday" his birthday is given as 13 March.
Donald's voice, one of the most identifiable voices in all of animation, was performed by voice actor Clarence "Ducky" Nash up to 1983. It was largely this semi-intelligible speech that would cement Donald's image into audiences' minds and help fuel both Donald's and Nash's rise to stardom. Since 1985, Donald has been voiced by Tony Anselmo, who was trained by Nash for the role.
Happy Birthday, Donald!
