- 5/25/2025
From Hollywood legends to drag queens, Disney's most memorable antagonists draw inspiration from fascinating real-life figures. Join us as we explore the surprising origins behind these iconic animated villains, revealing the faces and personalities that shaped some of Disney's greatest characters.
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00:00Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at Disney villains whose appearance, story, or personality were influenced by real, though not necessarily villainous, people.
00:15Gentlemen of the press, get ready, because you are about to witness the biggest news event of the year.
00:22King Candy, Wreck-It Ralph.
00:24Who are you, the guy that makes the donuts?
00:26Please, no, I'm King Candy.
00:29Early in this film's development, filmmakers were unsure of what final form their villain would take.
00:35Looking back in Disney history for inspiration, they found their muse in comedic actor Ed Wynn, who voiced the Mad Hatter in 1951's Alice in Wonderland, and played Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins.
00:47I can't help it, you can see that. I just like laughing, that's all I...
00:53Jane, don't you dare. You'll only make him worse.
00:57King Candy's appearance was based on both Wynn and the Mad Hatter, and his distinctive voice was expertly captured by voice actor Alan Tudyk.
01:06Though Wynn was nothing close to villainous himself, he would have absolutely nailed a role as delightfully deranged as King Candy.
01:14More than an inspiration, this villain is an homage to this Disney legend.
01:18The more I'm a merrier me...
01:21It's embarrassing.
01:23The more I'm a merrier me...
01:27Tamatoa, Moana...
01:29Are you just trying to get me to talk about myself?
01:34Because if you are, I will gladly do so.
01:38Huh?
01:39In song form!
01:40The passing of David Bowie in 2016 sent millions of music lovers into mourning, including Moana's soundtrack co-writer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
01:50When creating the song Shiny for the giant villainous crab Tamatoa, Miranda decided a tribute to Bowie would be fitting for this glamorous decapod.
01:58Scrub the deck and make it look shiny, I would sparkle like a wealthy woman's neck, just a sec.
02:06Tamatoa's voice actor, Jermaine Clement, had previously paid tribute to Bowie with his comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, which further inspired Miranda's decision.
02:16The result is a fabulously evil glam rock song sung by a character who, despite his ill intentions, you have to admit, is a spectacular performer.
02:26Another hint to Tamatoa's inspiration is his eyes.
02:34The pupils are two different sizes, just like Bowie's were.
02:39Jafar, Aladdin
02:40Interesting.
02:42What? Who?
02:43The Royal Vizier.
02:45Well, that would be...
02:46Me.
02:48This animated film was heavily inspired by the 1940 film, The Thief of Baghdad, which was similarly based on the stories of One Thousand and One Nights.
02:58The Thief of Baghdad also featured a villainous vizier named Jafar, played by German actor Conrad Veidt.
03:04I thought I might try to give them happiness.
03:07Happiness.
03:09They're fools and knaves.
03:10Your grand sire knew it, and if you would know it too, do exceed it.
03:15Veidt's striking features and severe appearance influenced the look of Disney's Jafar, who was drawn to purposely contrast the other, softer-looking characters in the film.
03:25As a result, Jafar's dramatic and sinister appearance has a distinctly old Hollywood feel.
03:31Though he might have been the inspiration for Jafar's evil looks, Conrad Veidt was anything but.
03:37A vocal opponent of Nazism and anti-Semitism, Veidt fled Germany in 1933 and starred in several anti-Nazi films.
03:45Don't be in such a hurry. You have all the time in the world. You may be in Casablanca indefinitely.
03:50Scar, The Lion King
03:52This film is a loose retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet, and therefore this villain is partially inspired by the play's antagonist, King Claudius.
04:08When creating Scar's design, however, animators based his appearance on the character's voice actor, Jeremy Irons.
04:15That is, as much as an animated lion can be based on a human man's appearance.
04:20Well, I suppose you'd have found out sooner or later, you being so clever and all.
04:26The Academy Award-winning British actor is an expert in portraying villainous characters.
04:31He has the perfect foreboding voice and sinister body language.
04:35Irons' background in classical theatre and Shakespeare also helped him nab the role in this anthropomorphic adaptation of one of the Bard's most famous plays.
04:44They've been videoing me and drawing me for all that time.
04:48And I see the film, and there's this scrawny bloody lion.
04:54I look at James Earl Jones, and he's golden and big mane.
04:59James Earl Jones is bald.
05:01Big mane, he ripples.
05:03And I thought, what's the matter with me?
05:05Dr. Facilier, The Princess and the Frog
05:08The Shadow Man of New Orleans has a distinctive design unlike any other Disney villain, and was inspired by a few different sources.
05:25Baron Samedi, a spirit in Haitian voodoo mythology, lends Dr. Facilier his signature top hat, black tailcoat, and imposing skull mask.
05:34Facilier's long, thin limbs and smooth dance moves were inspired by those of Michael Jackson.
05:40Watch him closely as he dances, and you'll see some of the King of Pop's signature moves.
05:44I can read your future
05:46I can change and round some, too
05:49I look deep into your heart and soul
05:52You do have a soul, don't you, Lawrence?
05:55Make your wildest dreams come true
05:57Animators wanted the character to move gracefully across the screen to show how Facilier hypnotically lures in his victims with his smooth-talking.
06:06Jackson hypnotized audiences throughout his career with his dancing, making him a fitting inspiration for this character.
06:13You've been hit by a smooth woman
06:15Cruella DeVille, 101 Dalmatians
06:23Neater darling!
06:25How are you?
06:26Miserable darling, as usual, perfectly wretched
06:29One of the most diabolical villains in all of Disney history, Cruella DeVille is rotten to the core, and inspired by one of the most legendary starlets you've never heard of.
06:40Tallulah Bankhead was the daughter of a prominent politician who dedicated her life to hedonism and the pursuit of attention.
06:46Well, darling, what's left for me is here.
06:48Thank you. Tell me, uh, why do you call everybody darling?
06:51Now you know why, because I can't remember names.
06:54Bankhead's thin physique, high-arched eyebrows, and chain-smoking habit became distinctive characteristics of Cruella as well.
07:01Bankhead was also known for terrorizing the streets of London with her reckless driving, a trait which was also borrowed for Cruella.
07:08Bankhead's over-indulgent lifestyle eventually led to a decline in her health, which cost her several major film roles.
07:16Even so, her legacy lives on in this classic Disney character.
07:20I'll get even! Just wait! You'll be sorry, you fools! You, you idiots!
07:26Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty
07:29Eleanor Audley, with her clear, commanding voice, was the perfect choice to play this intimidating Disney villain.
07:35And you're not offended, Your Excellency?
07:39Why, no, Your Majesty.
07:42In real life, Audley was a dignified, confident, and imposing woman who instantly earned the respect of those around her.
07:49Maleficent's character design was modeled after Audley's sharp features and expressive eyes,
07:54but she wasn't the first Disney villain to take inspiration from this actress.
07:58Lady Tremaine, the evil stepmother from Cinderella, was also voiced by Audley and designed to mimic her appearance.
08:11Once you see how similar these two characters look, you can never unsee it.
08:16At least now you know exactly why they look so alike.
08:18After all, we did make a bargain.
08:21Didn't we, Cinderella?
08:25And I never go back on my word.
08:28Ursula, the Little Mermaid
08:30Come in, my child. We mustn't lurk in doorways. It's rude.
08:39It wasn't until 2023 that Disney finally confirmed the long-speculated inspiration behind the iconic
08:45sea witch Ursula. Her dramatic eye makeup, bold jewelry, body type, and boundless confidence
08:51were all clear indicators that Ursula was based on drag legend Divine. Otherwise known as Harris
08:57Glenn Milstead, the icon was famous for his appearances in several films by John Waters,
09:03including the original version of Hairspray as Edna Turnblad.
09:06Could you throw in a pair of complimentary petty pants in the deal?
09:09You drive a hard bargain, Miss Edna, and rightfully so.
09:12Petty pants, panty girdle. You just let Tracy take her pick.
09:16How about a fabulous frock just for me?
09:18Sadly, Divine passed away before he was able to see himself in Disney villain form.
09:23Though there have been some debate over Disney's characterization of a drag queen as a villain,
09:28those close to Divine have said he would have loved the character.
09:32I will be queen one day and my coronation will be celebrated all over the world.
09:37Do not forget, I am Divine!
09:41Charles F. Muntz, Up.
09:43Oh you really must say, I insist, we have so much more to talk about.
09:49This character is an amalgamation of several real life people,
09:53including one that could be considered an actual Disney villain. Muntz's aviation adventurer look is
09:59inspired by real life celebrity aviator Charles Lindbergh, who often sported a similar jacket and flight goggles.
10:06Walt Disney himself also served as inspiration for months, particularly for his adventurous spirit.
10:12I started with many ideas, threw them away, started all over again,
10:16and eventually it evolved into what you see today as Disneyland.
10:19Most interestingly, however, is how similar his name sounds to Charles Mintz.
10:24In 1928, Charles Mintz stole the rights to Walt Disney's first successful cartoon character,
10:30Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This forced Disney to start from scratch with a new character,
10:35a certain mouse you may be familiar with. Though it ended happily for Disney,
10:40clearly Mintz has a long-standing reputation as a true Disney villain.
10:44More often I get thieves come to steal what's rightfully mine. No.
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11:05The Evil Queen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
11:08As beautiful as she is menacing, Snow White's Evil Queen is the result of significant development
11:23to create the perfect villain for Disney's first feature film. Initially, depictions of the Evil
11:29Queen in cartoons portrayed her as ugly and witch-like, but lead animator Art Babbitt realized how much
11:36more threatening a beautiful but bitter and jealous queen would be.
11:45For her design, Disney animators looked to famous examples of beauty, which at the time were
11:51actresses like Joan Crawford, Gail Sondergaard, and Greta Garbo. Animators also took inspiration from a
11:57statue of Uta von Bellenstadt in Nomburg Cathedral. She was considered to be the most beautiful woman of the
12:04middle ages, truly the fairest of them all. Did any of these entries surprise you?
12:13Let us know what other cartoon inspirations we should delve into next!
12:17A wondrous future lies before you! You, the destined hero of a charming fairy tale come true!
12:30It's so great!
12:32Let us know what other cartoon villains
12:43is that the one who is a lady who has a nightmare, who is a writer, who is a grown-up, that is
12:47the one who is a friend who is the理由 of a cartoon. And it's not how to take care of the
12:50title. And she does be wonderful. And she does kind of play how to take care of the
12:53story a bit and celebrate, and let's see that they love a permanent character. So I'm going to
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