Did You Know? The Movie “UP” Was Inspired by a Real Life Event in 1982

A few weeks ago in July, I saw a few folks on social media mention this event, and also, one of our family's favorite movies is the Disney film "UP."

    UP Is a Film About an Elderly Man Who Uses Balloons to Escape a Nursing Home

The 2009 animated Pixar movie featured an elderly man, voiced by Ed Asner, who after the death of his beloved wife, eventually finds himself surrounded in the city by developers. They continually try to buy or force him out, with no success.  Eventually, after a confrontation with one of the contractors, he's 'sentenced' to go to the retirement home by a judge.

Get our free mobile app

But, the night before he is to leave, he ties thousands of helium balloons to his home, and when the workers come to get him, he drifts away, headed for South America.

   The Event People Referred to Was Lawnchair Larry's Flight in CA in 1982.

It was July of 1982, when a 33-year-old truck driver from San Pedro, CA decided to go flying in a Sears aluminum lawn chair helped by 42 (some reports say 45) large 8-foot weather balloons.  July 2nd, 1982, he lifted off from his backyard, strapped in with a  safety belt, and carrying some water jugs, food and a BB gun he intended to use to pop the balloons. His name was Larry Walters, he later said it was a dream of his to try it.

The eight foot balloons were purchased from a military surplus store. He later told Officials he thought he'd just hover a few dozen feet above his backyard, but his ground tether unexpectedly snapped, and he quickly shot up to 16,500 feet!  Facing growing very cold air, and fearful, he eventually shot out a few balloons and slowly began to descend.

But in the meantime, he'd floated for nearly 90 minutes was reported to the FAA by a  pair of airline pilots near Long Beach, CA.   He eventually landed, but was tangled in some power lines, causing a brief blackout.  He was fined $1,500 by the FAA, was interviewed by David Letterman, but sadly ten years later, committed suicide.

Multiple sources say indeed, Pixar developers and creators were inspired by his "adventure," but strongly advise people to NEVER try to duplicate his event.