50+ Disney Characters that Are Based on Real People

Princess Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty is another iconic Disney princess from our childhoods, so it only makes sense that her animation was loosely based on the sophisticated fashion icon Audrey Hepburn. When sketching Aurora, the animators based her physique and trim on Audrey Hepburn’s likeness.

Everything else about her however was based on the live-action model Helene Stanley. Aurora’s facial structure and expressions were all based on Helene. Even the way she danced and carried herself was inspired by the elegant Stanley. Just take a look at the side-by-side picture of the two above.