Don Iwerks, 1929-

Biography

Don Iwerks followed his father, Disney legend Ub Iwerks, to The Walt Disney Studios in 1950. There, among many leadership roles and accomplishments, Don assisted his father with the development of special cameras, projectors and other technical systems, many of which are still used in Disney parks around the world – among them Circle-Vision 360°; wide-gauge 3-D film systems; and the projection system for the wildly popular Star Tours attraction. In 1986, after 35 years at Disney, Don joined fellow Disney executive Stan Kinsey to co-found their own company, Iwerks Entertainment, a maker of giant-screen theaters, simulation theaters and 3-D projection-based theme park attractions. In 1997, Don received the Gordon E. Sawyer Award, an Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors. In 2009, Don Iwerks joined his father in the pantheon of Disney icons when he was presented with the prestigious Disney Legends Award.