Card Walker
Encyclopedia
Esmond Cardon Walker commonly known as E. Cardon Walker or Card Walker, was a top executive at Walt Disney Productions in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. He was born in Rexburg
, Idaho
.
, California
in 1924, where he attended UCLA. After graduation, he began his career at Disney as a mailroom clerk in 1938. Before long, he stepped up the ladder and found himself in the camera department and later became a unit manager for short subjects.
In 1941, Walker was forced to delay his Disney career to serve in the United States Navy
during World War II
. After the war, he returned to the studio. In 1956, he became vice president of advertising and sales, before being elected to the Board of Directors in 1960.
died in 1966, Walker became executive vice president and chief operating officer. When Walt's brother Roy O. Disney
died in 1971, he became company president, serving under Chairman and CEO Donn Tatum
. In November 1976 Walker took over chief executive officer duties from Tatum, and finally in 1980 became chairman of the board upon Tatum's retirement. Walker himself retired as CEO three years later, in February 1983, but stayed on as chairman until May 1 to oversee the opening of the Tokyo Disneyland
in Japan
.
As a top Disney executive, Walker played a major part in the early development of Walt Disney World in Florida
. He also sought to expand Disney's presence to international territory. Epcot
and Tokyo Disneyland both opened under Walker's leadership, and he also presided over the dedications of both parks.
Walker continued to serve as a consultant to the company until 1990 and was member of the board of directors until 1999. His contributions culminated in his induction into the Disney Legends
in 1993.
Rexburg, Idaho
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
.
Early life and career
Walker moved to Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1924, where he attended UCLA. After graduation, he began his career at Disney as a mailroom clerk in 1938. Before long, he stepped up the ladder and found himself in the camera department and later became a unit manager for short subjects.
In 1941, Walker was forced to delay his Disney career to serve in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, he returned to the studio. In 1956, he became vice president of advertising and sales, before being elected to the Board of Directors in 1960.
Career with Disney
After Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
died in 1966, Walker became executive vice president and chief operating officer. When Walt's brother Roy O. Disney
Roy O. Disney
Roy Oliver Disney was, with his younger brother, Walt Disney, the co-founder of what is now The Walt Disney Company.-Early life:...
died in 1971, he became company president, serving under Chairman and CEO Donn Tatum
Donn Tatum
Donn Tatum was the first non-Disney family member to be president of Walt Disney Productions. Tatum held senior executive positions with Disney for 25 years and was its chairman from 1971 until 1980. He then served as a director until 1992, when he was named "Director Emeritus"...
. In November 1976 Walker took over chief executive officer duties from Tatum, and finally in 1980 became chairman of the board upon Tatum's retirement. Walker himself retired as CEO three years later, in February 1983, but stayed on as chairman until May 1 to oversee the opening of the Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland
is a 115 acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and opened on April 15, 1983...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
As a top Disney executive, Walker played a major part in the early development of Walt Disney World in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He also sought to expand Disney's presence to international territory. Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
and Tokyo Disneyland both opened under Walker's leadership, and he also presided over the dedications of both parks.
Walker continued to serve as a consultant to the company until 1990 and was member of the board of directors until 1999. His contributions culminated in his induction into the Disney Legends
Disney Legends
Established in 1987, the Disney Legends program recognizes people who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company. The honor is awarded annually during a special ceremony....
in 1993.