Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a character who stars in cartoons and comics produced by The Walt Disney Company, introduced as a supporting character in the 1934 Silly Symphony The Wise Little Hen. He is a white anthropomorphic duck whose most famous personality trait is his easily provoked and explosive temper. He soon rose to become the studio's major star, eclipsing Mickey Mouse in popularity and starring in more than 100 theatrical cartoons through 1961. He was also a major star in comics (gathering an equally popular array of co-stars such as his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie and uncle Scrooge McDuck), and remains an active figure in Disney television shows, comic books, and countless shows and parades at the Disney theme parks.
Appearances in Christmas specials[]
Theatrical shorts[]
Donald dressed as Santa Claus in Toy Tinkers.
Donald with his Uncle Scrooge in Mickey's Christmas Carol.
- Toy Tinkers - Although Donald was already no stranger to Christmas stories in the comic book medium, his first real Christmas-themed outing on the silver screen did not come until this 1948 short co-starring him with Chip 'n' Dale. Donald goes out to get his Christmas tree, unknowingly waking up the chipmunks from their hibernation. When Donald sees Chip and Dale stealing his supply of Yuletide nuts, he proceeds to wage war against them, unsuccessfully, and makes a huge mess of his living room in the process.
- Pluto's Christmas Tree - Donald makes a cameo appearance at the end, singing "Deck the Halls" with Minnie and Goofy outside Mickey's house.
- Mickey's Christmas Carol - In this 1983 animated featurette, Donald portrays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge's nephew, Fred, appropriately fitting with his uncle Scrooge McDuck being cast as Scrooge himself. At the beginning of the film, Donald shows up at Scrooge's counting house, bringing his uncle a wreath and offering to invite him to Christmas dinner at his home, but Scrooge rudely declines. Later, near the end of the special, Donald is shown riding a carriage, driven by Cyril Proudbottom from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, when the reformed Scrooge tells him that he's looking forward to joining him and his family for Christmas dinner. This notably marked the last theatrical film in which Donald was voiced by his original voice actor, Clarence Nash, who died in 1985 (Nash would voice Donald at least one more time for the TV special Donald Duck's 50th Birthday).
Television specials[]
- From All of Us to All of You - In addition to Toy Tinkers being among the shorts used for this compilation special, Donald also has a silent cameo in the new animation produced for it. He and his nephews appear among the characters listening to Jiminy Cricket singing "When You Wish Upon a Star" at the very end of the special.
- A Magic Kingdom Yuletide Special
- Disney's Christmas Fantasy on Ice
- Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas
- Mickey Saves Christmas
Television episodes[]
Donald and Della riding two of Santa's reindeer in "How Santa Stole Christmas!"
- "The Nutcracker" - Donald portrays the villainous Mouse King, complaining that he does not want to play the role, but agrees to do so when the narrator assures him that he's supposed to win at the end. When the story's ending comes up and Donald does not win, he calls out the narrator on this.
- "Mickey's Mixed Nuts" - Donald briefly appears at the end of this Mickey Mouse Works short.
- "Pete's Christmas Caper"
- "Clarabelle's Christmas List"
- "Mickey Saves Santa"
- "Oh, Christmas Tree!" - In this Minnie's Bow-Toons short, Donald is seen caroling with Mickey, Goofy, Clarabelle, and Minnie's nieces Millie and Melody. At the end of the short, Minnie and Daisy invite him and the others in to look at their Christmas tree.
- "Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special" - Donald has a starring role in this special extended episode of Mickey Mouse Shorts. In it, he decides not to go south for winter with his family, as he would rather stay in Mouseton to celebrate Christmas with his pals. The cold northern weather, however, takes a toll on his health (even though he has never been shown to suffer in cold weather in other Christmas specials).
- "Happy Hot Diggity Dog Holiday!"
- "Happy Holiday Helpers"
- "Last Christmas!" - Donald has a prominent role in this episode of the DuckTales reboot (the original series never had a Christmas episode).
- "How Santa Stole Christmas!"
- "Bad Breath Blues"
- Mickey's Christmas Tales
- "Campground Christmas"
- "Park Life Holiday"
Direct-to-video films[]
Donald decorating Scrooge's Christmas tree in Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.
- Disney's The Twelve Days of Christmas
- Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - Donald is billed as the starring character in "Stuck on Christmas", the first segment of this direct-to-video film, though it actually focuses more on his nephews.
- Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse - In this direct-to-video compilation film based on House of Mouse, Donald is feeling rather bitter about having to be stuck in the House of Mouse on Christmas Eve, with Daisy pointing out that he has lost his Christmas spirit. Over the course of the film, Mickey continually attempts to cheer Donald up.
- Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas - In this 2004 direct-to-video film, Donald stars in the film's fourth segment, "Donald's Gift", and also appears prominently in the segments "Belles on Ice" and "Christmas: Impossible".
Mentions in other Christmas specials[]
At the beginning of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Kate McCallister asks her son Kevin if he knows what his grandmother Penelope sent him for the family vacation. Kevin replies, "Let me guess. Donald Duck slippers?"
Gallery[]
Donald chopping down a tree.
Donald pulls a trick on Chip and Dale.
Donald under the mistletoe with Daisy in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas.
Donald as the Mouse King in "The Nutcracker".
Donald doesn't feel like having a Christmas party in Mickey's Magical Christmas.
Donald with Goofy in Mickey's Magical Christmas.
Donald cheers up when he puts the star on the tree.
Donald with Mickey at the end of Mickey's Magical Christmas.
Donald with his nephews and Daisy in Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.
Donald wants to celebrate Christmas with his friends in "Duck the Halls".
Young Donald with his sister Della in "Last Christmas!"