This week marked the 80th anniversary of Donald Duck, pretty much the most temperamental Disney character ever created. In the early days, Donald had an exaggerated waddle because the animators found it difficult, on paper, to distinguish between a duck and a goose—we’re assuming that’s what made him so cranky. But his waddle has never held him back from his ambitions. He’s tried many, many jobs. Somehow, though, nothing ever works out as planned.

Our friends at D23 sent over a list of 23 of Donald’s employment endeavors, (more of which will be celebrated on tour across the U.S. in this year’s D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration road show, presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection). So let’s take a look at Donald’s many jobs over the years.


Scout Leader (Good Scouts, 1938)
Scout Leader (Good Scouts, 1938)
Logger (Up a Tree, 1940)
Logger (Up a Tree, 1940)
Steam Shovel Operator (Dragon Around, 1954)
Steam Shovel Operator (Dragon Around, 1954)
23-Jobs-Donald-Duck-Has-Attempted-5
Santa Claus (Toy Tinkers, 1949)
Musician (Trombone Trouble, 1944)
Musician (Trombone Trouble, 1944)
A Melopoioi (Donald in Mathmagicland, 1961)
A Melopoioi (Donald in Mathmagicland, 1961)
Fire Chief (Fire Chief, 1941)
Fire Chief (Fire Chief, 1941)
Camper (Grin and Bear It, 1954)
Camper (Grin and Bear It, 1954)
Hotel Bellboy (Bellboy Donald, 1942)
Hotel Bellboy (Bellboy Donald, 1942)
Birdfeeder (The Trial of Donald Duck, 1948)
Birdfeeder (The Trial of Donald Duck, 1948)
Menagerist (Fantasia 2000, 1942)
Menagerist (Fantasia 2000, 1942)
Babysitter (Donald’s Happy Birthday, 1949)
Babysitter (Donald’s Happy Birthday, 1949)
Soldier (Donald’s Diary, 1954)
Soldier (Donald’s Diary, 1954)
Hobbyist (Test Pilot Donald, 1951)
Hobbyist (Test Pilot Donald, 1951)
Baseball Player (Slide, Donald, Slide, 1949)
Baseball Player (Slide, Donald, Slide, 1949)
Paranormal Investigator (Lonesome Ghosts, 1937)
Paranormal Investigator (Lonesome Ghosts, 1937)
Paratrooper (Sky Trooper, 1942)
Paratrooper (Sky Trooper, 1942)
Boxer (Canvas Back Duck, 1953)
Boxer (Canvas Back Duck, 1953)
Explorer (Frank Duck Brings Em’ Back Alive, 1942)
Explorer (Frank Duck Brings Em’ Back Alive, 1942)
Clock Cleaner (Clock Cleaners, 1937)
Clock Cleaner (Clock Cleaners, 1937)
Sailor (Chips Ahoy, 1942)
Sailor (Chips Ahoy, 1942)

Be sure to check out D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration, rolling into a town near you this fall for more tidbits about this year’s Disney anniversaries. D23 and the Walt Disney Archives have uncovered rarely seen video, photos, and stories for this year’s road show. It’s going to be a blast from the past.

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