Jimmie Dodd

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Actor | Composer | Musician | Songwriter Born March 28, 1910 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Jimmie Dodd was the original Mickey Mouse Club's chief mouseketeer in the 1950s, known to millions of children simply as "Jimmie."

Dodd, a musician and composer, wrote the "Mickey Mouse March," signing its famous line to start every show, "Who’s the leader of the Club that’s made for you and me? M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E!" He also ended the show with the slower "now it's time to say goodbye" verse.

Dodd, who hosted the Mouse club from 1955 to 1959, composed more than 50 songs for the Disney variety show. Another of his compositions, "Washington" was adopted as the official song of Washington, D.C.

Before joining Disney in 1954, Dodd played character roles in a dozen Hollywood films and appeared in several television dramas. He toured U.S. bases as a signer and guitarist during World War II.

— Los Angeles Times Nov. 11, 1964