Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

[Dr. Bitz]

I was struck to discover this, though I am not sure - what do you think?

The actor playing Harrison Hightower, the "owner" of Tokyo DisneySea's tower of terror which disappears in the elevator, is, as it looks to me, actually Imagineer Joe Rohde!

See for yourselves, here is Rohde in an article on miceage:

http://www.miceage.com/kevinyee/ky042506a.htm

and here is the official Tokyo Tower of Terror site (Beware, it can startling ):

http://www.tot1899.com/index.html

I wish I could upload a screenshot here, but I couldn't find how to. Anyway, try and navigate to the man's diary, then advance several pages, and you're there.

[kronos]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

That's too funny. When the first guy's picture came up I thought what are you talking about. Then the next came up and it was Rohde! I laughed so hard! Sort of scary looking without his earring!! The picture almost looks like a shot for Everest that was never used, I wonder if it is?

[DisneyLurker]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

It is true. Joe Rohde does serve as the model for Hightower. This is an inside joke amongst Imagineers. I first heard of this about a year ago from various sources. I guess the secret is out.

[FigmentJedi]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

That's totally Joe Rohde in heavy makeup, just like Everest's Yeti is essentially a hairier Rohde without massive earring. And for that matter, how Dreamfinder had Rohde's mustache. Makes me wonder if they offer some sort of English option for the ride audio with Rohde actually doing the voice.

[captsmith84]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

Holy crap that website is scary... that mask is creepy. If the ride is even half as scary as that website... wow. lol

[tloolgb]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

That is pretty cool.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

I think it's only fitting that Joe Rohde's photo was used and photoshopped for the TOT site and advertisement at TDS. After all... Joe single-handedly fought the good battle and brought some quality back to WDW with DAK and now EE.

[Twist_of_Fate]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

That is the most outrageous picture I have ever seen. Good stuff.

Creepy site indeed. Reminded me of those horror-survival video games ala Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Fatal Frame, etc.

[captsmith84]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

I think it's only fitting that Joe Rohde's photo was used and photoshopped for the TOT site and advertisement at TDS. After all... Joe single-handedly fought the good battle and brought some quality back to WDW with DAK and now EE.

It's not just that... they even used Joe's bust in the building itself. He's everywhere in that thing. lol

[tloolgb]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

/\ Now that would be really cool to be a bust in a ride.

[Lost Boy]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

I just wish they would offer an English version of that site. It is incredible. I loved it, but have no idea what's going on other than it is totally different than any of the other versions, as I have known it would be. Oh, to be able to read Japanese. Sigh. But I know Joe and that definately is him. How cool.

[AlexLoup]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

I just wish they would offer an English version of that site. It is incredible. I loved it, but have no idea what's going on other than it is totally different than any of the other versions, as I have known it would be. Oh, to be able to read Japanese. Sigh. But I know Joe and that definately is him. How cool.

I know the man (who looks like Mal from firefly) and the woman are just talking away and i can only read Hirigana and Katakana slowly.

But yeah, really good site.

[Dr. Bitz]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

I wonder if he speaks Japanese on the preshow video.

Sayonara!

[dreemfinder]

Re: Joe Rohde cameo appearance in Tokyo's TOT?

And for that matter, how Dreamfinder had Rohde's mustache.

FYI -- Dreamfinder had quite a bit more of Joe Rohde than just his moustache. Rohde was the model for the Dreamfinder figure in Journey Into Imagination, AND he played Dreamfinder in the Dreamfinder's School of Drama Interactive Videos in Image Works (Though the voice was dubbed by Chuck McCann).

After I'd been doing Dreamfinder for 5 years at EPCOT, I ran into Joe on a cross-country flight and told him, "I've spent 5 years trying to make my nose look like yours!"

Ron Schneider