Marc Davis Quotes

Powerful Marc Davis for Daily Growth

About Marc Davis

Marc Davis (December 30, 1913 – January 15, 2000) was an esteemed American animator, visual developer, and Imagineer who significantly contributed to the world of Disney, leaving a lasting impact on animation and theme park design. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Davis developed a love for art at an early age. He moved to Los Angeles in 1935 and was hired by Walt Disney Studios shortly thereafter. Initially working as an animator, Davis quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional talent and creativity. He worked on some of Disney's most iconic films, including 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' 'Peter Pan,' and 'Cinderella.' One of Davis's most significant contributions was his role in developing the process for creating three-dimensional animatronics. This innovation was first showcased in the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at Disneyland, opening in 1963. Davis also played a crucial part in designing and creating many iconic attractions, such as It's a Small World and the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Davis was known for his dedication to character development and storytelling. He was instrumental in bringing classic characters like Tigger from 'Winnie the Pooh' and the Fairy Godmother from 'Cinderella' to life. His innovative spirit and attention to detail made him one of Disney's most influential artists and designers. Throughout his career, Davis received numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1989. Marc Davis passed away in 2000 at the age of 86, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire animators, designers, and artists around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can design never never land, but you cannot live there. You must put it on paper and bring it to life."

This quote implies that while one can conceive or design imaginative and fantastical worlds (like Never Never Land), actual living and experience require more than just mental construction - they require tangible realization in the real world, such as by creating art, writing a story, or building a physical environment. The message encourages people to translate their creative visions into reality, bringing their ideas to life.


"Everybody's dreaming of a better tomorrow, as for me, I think its today."

This quote suggests that while many people hold hopes for a future improvement in their lives (a "better tomorrow"), Marc Davis believes in the power of the present moment ("it's today"). He encourages taking action and making the most of the current situation, as it is the only guaranteed opportunity for change. The message emphasizes the importance of living fully in the here and now rather than constantly waiting for a better future to start living.


"The key to a good story is making your audience care about what happens next."

The statement highlights that the essence of a compelling narrative lies in captivating the audience, making them emotionally invested in the story's progression. By evoking empathy, suspense, or curiosity, a storyteller ensures their audience will be eager to discover what happens next, keeping them engaged and immersed in the narrative. This is crucial as it fosters an emotional connection between the story and its audience, making the experience more meaningful and memorable.


"I have learned that if you don't take a chance, you will never know what could have been."

This quote by Marc Davis emphasizes the importance of taking risks in life. It suggests that without trying new experiences or venturing into uncharted territories, one may never discover their true potential or achieve what they might have otherwise. The message is a reminder that fear of failure should not hinder us from seizing opportunities and pursuing our dreams, as the regret of missed chances can be more painful than the possibility of falling short.


"In the end, it's not just about the idea - it's about the way you express it and make people believe in it."

This quote emphasizes that creativity is more than merely generating an original idea; it's also about effectively communicating that idea in a compelling manner, inspiring others to embrace it. It suggests that the success of an idea often depends on the skill with which it is presented, as well as its inherent value and feasibility.


Some of these sketches were done at the very beginning of the Pirates project, when I was trying to find a direction for myself. That was the early sixties... maybe 61 or 62.

- Marc Davis

Beginning, Some, Very, Pirates

Before I got through high school I had attended 22 different schools. In the time before I was well acquainted with the latest school, I would amuse myself by drawing and found that I was pretty good at it.

- Marc Davis

Through, Before, Had, Amuse

At that time, the people that were in the animated film business were mostly guys who were unsuccessful newspaper cartoonists. In other words, their ability to draw living things was practically nil.

- Marc Davis

Newspaper, Film Business, In Other Words

There is something I feel when I animate something; you can never really understand the character you're animating unless you've had the opportunity to turn it around. Once you've done that, you know it is a three-dimensional object.

- Marc Davis

Understand, Feel, Had, Object

Disney had made such a great deal of money on Snow White that the banks gave him the go-ahead on the next three films. But he was heavily dependent on the foreign market.

- Marc Davis

Next, Deal, Films, Snow White

Yes, the first job I had at the studio was Snow White. I don't like the term particularly, but I got stuck with the human characters. They just didn't have that many people who could draw humans.

- Marc Davis

Studio, Got, Had, Snow White

What we were in on, really, was the invention of animation.

- Marc Davis

Animation, Were, Really, Invention

I joined Walt Disney, went to work, December 2nd 1935, so obviously, I'm not too young!

- Marc Davis

Young, Walt, Joined, December

Throughout my career, when I was finished with the drawing for one film I would go up to the story department and help develop sequences. Sometimes these were for scenes that I would animate later on.

- Marc Davis

Career, Sometimes, Go, Department

His feeling was the name Walt Disney represented all of us. Walt was hanging by his teeth financially and really I think he was for most of his career. Not at all like today.

- Marc Davis

Career, Think, I Think, Financially

I had some connections from the newspapers that I did work with up there, so there was a newspaper publisher in Hollywood, and they promised me work and so on.

- Marc Davis

Newspaper, Some, Hollywood, Publisher

Animation had been done before, but stories were never told.

- Marc Davis

Never, Been, Stories, Animation

The first professional training I received of any kind was when I was 14 years old and we were in Kansas City, Missouri. I attended the Kansas City Art Institute for one summer.

- Marc Davis

Art, Kansas City, Attended, Institute

It wasn't a problem for me drawing humans although I had originally come to the studio with the idea that what I had to offer them was my knowledge in the drawing of animals.

- Marc Davis

Idea, Studio, Originally, Humans

Later, my father died up in Marysville. So, my mother and I got in the car and came down to Hollywood.

- Marc Davis

Father, Hollywood, Got, Died

Drawing is giving a performance; an artist is an actor who is not limited by the body, only by his ability and, perhaps, experience.

- Marc Davis

Body, Artist, Giving, Limited

My father was something of a rainbow-chaser.

- Marc Davis

Father, Something, Dad

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