Stephen Schochet compiled a list to illustrate that even very successful people have unexpected setbacks. He listed ten that befell Walt Disney, who learned from his mistakes and went on to great success. Some of those setbacks are hilarious, such as the publicity stunt that backfired big time.
For the premiere of Pinocchio Walt hired 11 midgets, dressed them up like the little puppet and put them on top of Radio City Music Hall in New York with a full day's supply of food and wine. The idea was they would wave hello to the little children entering into the theater. By the middle of the hot afternoon, there were 11 drunken naked midgets running around the top of the marquee, screaming obscenities at the crowd below. The most embarrassed people were the police who had to climb up ladders and take the little fellows off in pillowcases.
Here's a picture of the event. The story of the premiere of Bambi is funny as well. Link -via Dark Roasted Blend
Second, it's time to trudge out Calvin Coolidge's quote on the secret to success:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”