LAMAMIMET

Don Iwerks, born Donald Warren Iwerks on July 24, 1929, was a pioneering figure in special effects and large-format filmmaking. The son of Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney's early collaborator and co-creator of Mickey Mouse, Don joined The Walt Disney Company in 1952 after serving as a photographer in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Initially working in the Studio Machine Shop due to a chemical allergy, he soon became integral to Disney’s technological innovations. He contributed to the underwater cinematography for the 1954 film "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and worked on early Disneyland attractions like "A Tour of the West" using the 360-degree Circarama camera system developed by his father.

Together with his father, Don advanced techniques such as the "endless loop" film system and refined processes for combining live-action with animation, most notably in "Mary Poppins." His hands were even used as the model for the Audio-Animatronics figure of Abraham Lincoln in Disneyland’s "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." In 1986, he co-founded Iwerks Entertainment, which became a leader in large-format films and theme park technologies, creating 3-D projection systems and immersive experiences used worldwide. The company later evolved into SimEx-Iwerks, continuing to shape global entertainment through simulation rides and cinematic attractions.

Don Iwerks received numerous accolades, including the Gordon E. Sawyer Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1998 for his lifetime contributions to film technology. He also published "Walt Disney's Ultimate Inventor" in 2019, honoring his father's legacy. Don Iwerks died peacefully on July 9, 2026, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of innovation that transformed both cinema and theme park experiences.