The most recognizable fictional character, Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse appears for the first time on public stage in Steamboat Willie, the first synchronized sound cartoon, a seven-minute classic that made him an instant superstar.

Mickey's varied career over the years, has seen him in the role of Academy Award-winning movie star, wristwatch model, comic book character, television host, theme park ambassador, recording artist, video game hero to corporate symbol, all the while, delighting every generation of audiences, with good humor and innate charm.

Disney legend has it was on a train back from New York that Walt Disney dreamed up the idea of an animated mouse, he wished to call Mortimer, However, it was his wife Lillian, who convinced him it was the worst possible name for a cartoon star. Disney, apparently from Irish stock, agreed to change the name to Mickey.

Celebrating his milestone 80th year in show biz, Toon Talk counts down his top ten greatest performances on the silver screen:

1. Who Framed Roger Rabbit - wherein Mickey holds his own with Bugs Bunny that wascally wabbit from Warners Bros.
2. Mickey's Rival, wherein a jealous Mickey's longtime girlfriend - Minnie, is courted by sleazy Mortimer Mouse.
3. Runaway Brain, a variation of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, wherein Mickey cuts loose and gets to play a villain, complete with frayed ears and yellow eyes.
4. Thru the Mirror, a Lewis Carroll inspired fantasy, in which Mickey displays some fancy footwork à la Fred Astaire.
5. Brave Little Taylor, which has a humble Mickey save the day by killing seven with one blow, and which ends with a kiss from grateful Princess Minnie.
6. The Prince and the Pauper, in which Mickey plays dual roles in this delightful adaptation of the Mark Twain classic.
7. Steamboat Willie, his official debut film displays Mickey's playfulness, early wily nature, including his creative use of farm animals.
8. The Band Concert, his first color cartoon and the best example of his tumultuous relationship with Donald Duck, a frequent co-star.
9. Mickey and the Beanstalk, a mousified telling of the classic fairy tale.
10. The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which is Mickey's ultimate star turn run of the emotional gamut, from naïve innocence to impulsive daring to frenzied panic and back.

So, as we close with a Happy Birthday, may Mickey Mouse continue to reign long! Based on circles, the secret to drawing is by drawing round a dollar for the head, and round a quarter for the ears. According to psychologists, we respond to round characters better than we do to spiky ones, as they possess the qualities of safeness, femininity and security. Which is why, a psychologist in the 1940s stated that even a chiold in a crib would smile instantly on being shown a picture of Mickey Mouse. Therein, lies the secret behind Mickey's popularity!