Walt Disney Was A 'Bigot' - Says Meryl Streep: Was She Correct?

By Tim Appelo
The actress accused the mogul of being sexist, racist and anti-Semitic, but experts who have dug in to the icon's controversial legacy say the truth is more complicated.

'Racism and Sexism' in Disney Cartoons

Meryl Streep caused eyebrows to raise throughout Hollywood with her appearance Jan. 7 at the National Board of Review awards ceremony at which she attacked Walt Disney as a man who “had some racist proclivities” and “supported an anti-Semitic industry lobbying group and [was] a gender bigot.” Streep, who is starring in the Disney studio's big-screen adaptation of the musical Into the Woods, which will be released next Christmas, was on hand to present a best actress trophy to Emma Thompson, who plays Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers opposite Tom Hanks’ Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks.

Has Disney Changed Much?

Top: The Princess with the 'Dastardly Villain' - Bottom: The Princess with the 'Man of Her Dreams'
From Walt Disney's, "The Princess and the Frog"

“I thought, ‘Oh, wow, she didn’t have to do that,’ ” says one startled awards consultant. “She’s giving an award to Emma Thompson for a film that’s sort of a love letter to Disney! But she’s Meryl Streep -- she can say whatever she wants.” Says one male Academy member of Streep: “What a silly woman! How the hell does she say that? Pick on a dead guy whom she didn’t know.”

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