Wolfgang "Woolie" Hench, a renowned artist, has spent over six decades working for The Walt Disney Company, witnessing the creation of nearly every Disney animated feature and theme park. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Hench attended various prestigious art schools across the United States, including the Art Students League of New York, Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.
Hench's illustrious career began in 1939 as a story artist, and he soon became an integral part of the animation department, working on diverse projects such as backgrounds, layout, art direction, effects animation, and special effects. His exceptional talent earned him the respect of Walt Disney himself, who teamed him with the renowned artist Salvador Dalí on the animated short Destino, a project that spanned nearly six decades, from 1945 to its completion and release in 2003.
As Disney's official portrait artist, Hench had the privilege of painting portraits for Mickey Mouse's 25th, 50th, 60th, 70th, and 75th birthdays. By 1954, Hench had transitioned to the live-action department, where he played a crucial role in the development of the hydraulic giant squid in the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which earned an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.
Afterward, Hench joined WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering, to design attractions for Disneyland. He went on to create many iconic elements for Disney's theme parks, including Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, Space Mountain, and contributed to attractions such as the Mickey Mouse Revue.
Due to his striking resemblance to Walt Disney and his frequent visits to Disney theme parks, Hench often found himself signing autographs and posing for photographs with park visitors who mistook him for the legendary Disney himself.
