Ub Iwerks, A.S.C. ( /ˈʌb ˈaɪwɜrks/;born Ubbe Eert Iwerks, March 24, 1901 – July 7, 1971) was a two-time Academy Award winning American animator, cartoonist, character designer, inventor, and special effects technician, who co-created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse with Walt Disney.
He was born in Kansas City, Missouri. His father, Eert Ubbe Iwwerks, emigrated to the U.S. in 1869 from the village of Uttum in East Frisia (northwest Germany, today part of the municipality of Krummhörn). Ub's birth name can be seen on early “Alice” shorts that he signed. Several years later he simplified his name to “Ub Iwerks”, sometimes written as "U. B. Iwerks".
He is father to Disney Legend Don Iwerks and David L. Iwerks. Grandfather to documentary film producer Leslie Iwerks, and Chris, Larry, John, and Kathie Iwerks.
Read more about Ub Iwerks: Career, Influence and Tributes