Disney Costumer Chuck Keehne Dies at 86

Disney Costumer Chuck Keehne Dies at 86; Founded Disney's Wardrobe Department

Chuck Keehne, who founded the wardrobe department at the Walt Disney Studios in 1955 and ran it for nearly 25 years, died at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Home in Woodland Hills, California, on Saturday, February 24th, following a long illness. He was 86 years old.

Keehne began his career dressing stars for such films as "Knute Rockne, All American," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "El Paso," "Torrid Zone," and "'Til We Meet Again." When Walt Disney began "The Mickey Mouse Club" in 1955, Keehne began the wardrobe department at Disney in order to outfit the stars of the new live-action television program. He went on to design costumes for the "Zorro" television series and was responsible for dressing Walt Disney himself for all of Disney's introductions to the "Disneyland" television program.

Other credits include costuming for such landmark Disney films as "Johnny Tremain," "Old Yeller," "The Shaggy Dog," "Pollyanna," "The Parent Trap," "The Absent-Minded Professor," "That Darn Cat," "Never a Dull Moment," "The Love Bug," "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," "Escape to Witch Mountain," "Freaky Friday," and "Mary Poppins." Keehne retired from the company in 1979.

Keehne is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Marcelle; daughter Debbie Polk and her husband, John; daughter Karen Zimmerman and her husband, Tom; and two granddaughters, Patty and Kathy Zimmerman.

A service was held on March 1st at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. Donations may be made in Keehne's name to the Motion Picture and Television Fund, 22212 Ventura Blvd., Suite 300, Woodland Hills, CA 91364.

-- Posted March 15, 2001

Source: Buena Vista Pictures Marketing Press Release