Virginia Davis, star of Walt Disney's series of silent "Alice" comedies, dies at 90

Source: AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Virginia Davis, who appeared in Walt Disney's pioneering "Alice" films, has died at age 90.

The Walt Disney Co. said Davis passed away at her home Saturday in Corona, Calif., from natural causes.

Davis was hired by Disney in 1923 when he was a struggling filmmaker in Kansas City, Mo., and later worked with him in Hollywood. She was the first of several girls to have the title role in the series of "Alice" comedies that ran from 1923 to 1927. Her moving image was photographed and combined with animated cartoons, predating Mickey Mouse.

"Gini was a very special lady who always took great pride in the historic role she played in our studio's history," said Roy E. Disney, director emeritus and consultant for The Walt Disney Co. "In fact, she liked to remind everyone that it all started with Alice, not Mickey Mouse."

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xITItcFW_Eg

I had no idea she was still alive. What a bit of history she became. RIP