During a ceremony that crowned the historic weekend of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, The Walt Disney Company honored 14 new Disney Legends who have left an indelible mark on the Company’s historical legacy. Among the honorees of 2024 are Harrison Ford, Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams.
This year’s ceremony, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, was the largest in the 37 years since the first Disney Legend was honored, with a Hollywood production that brought the magic of this historic event to even greater heights.
Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of Disney, welcomed the guests of the ceremony and emphasized the historical significance of the award.
The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor bestowed by our Company. It is presented as a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievements, and, most importantly, a heartfelt expression of our deep gratitude. Disney Legends are tied to the special place they have earned in our history for their enormous contributions to the service of entertainment and the joy of fans around the world.
Iger stated.
Each Disney Legend was honored with a special video tribute and surprise guests, including famous stars from film, television, and music, devoted Disney Cast Members, and exclusive musical performances.
Harrison Ford, with a special presentation by Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Speaking about the immense range of iconic characters Harrison Ford has portrayed, Iger stated: “He is the definition of a leading man, standing in a category of his own.” A tribute video honoring Ford was voiced by Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Karen Allen, Adam Driver, Anthony Mackie, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Daisy Ridley, Ke Huy Quan, and Disney Legend George Lucas.
Jamie Lee Curtis, with a special presentation on stage by best friend Jodie Foster and co-star from Freaky Friday Lindsay Lohan. From the stage, Lohan stated: “Every character she plays is different and she always brings something unique to the role.” Jodie Foster added: “She is inventive, brave, and full of surprises.” A tribute video honoring Jamie Lee Curtis featured comments from Disney Legend James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Kelly Ripa, with a special presentation on stage by Ryan Seacrest. In presenting the award to her long-time friend and former co-host of “Live,” Seacrest stated: “You truly are the definition of a Legend.” Seacrest also participated in a tribute video for Ripa, alongside Mark Consuelos, her co-host on “Live with Kelly and Mark.”
Martha Blanding, with a special presentation on stage by Derek Hough and a performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by The Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band from Disneyland Resort. From the stage, Hough spoke about Blanding’s deep impact on every Disneyland guest she meets: “She is part of the foundation that makes Disneyland the happiest place on Earth.” A tribute video honoring Blanding featured comments from Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Tim O’Day, Noah Elias, and fellow Walt Disney Company colleagues and Cast Members Jada Young, Clark Jones, Chris Sheppard, and Michelle Harker.
James L. Brooks, with a special animated video featuring characters from The Simpsons and a presentation on stage by Danny DeVito. From the stage, DeVito stated: “Jim is a genius. He creates such funny, sad, and eloquent moments, unique windows into the human condition.” A tribute video honoring Brooks featured comments from the stars voicing the beloved characters from The Simpsons in the original version: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Yeardley Smith.
Colleen Atwood, with a special presentation on stage by director Rob Marshall.
Marshall stated that Atwood is the first costume designer to be honored as a Disney Legend, saying: “In short, there is no one like her.”
A tribute video honoring Atwood featured comments from Marshall, Colin Farrell, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Melissa McCarthy, James Bobin, Jonah Hauer-King, Halle Bailey, and Eva Green.
Frank Oz, with a special presentation on stage by Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar. Speaking about his friend, Docter commented on Oz’s incredible career from the stage: “Frank has truly created some of the best characters in entertainment history.” A tribute video honoring Oz featured comments from Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Robert De Niro, and Disney Legend Steve Martin.
Miley Cyrus, with a special presentation and performance on stage by Lainey Wilson who performed “Best of Both Worlds,” the iconic song made famous by Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana. A tribute video honoring Miley Cyrus featured comments from John Travolta, Bret Michaels, and Chappell Roan.
Steve Ditko, with a special presentation on stage by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige who presented the posthumous award to Ditko’s nephew, Mark Ditko. Regarding Steve Ditko’s impact, Feige said: “Steve Ditko was an incredible artist and creator, and one of the original architects of the Marvel Universe.” A tribute video honoring Ditko featured comments from Feige, Disney Legend Stan Lee, and Marvel creatives including C.B. Cebulski, Tom DeFalco, Ralph Macchio, David Bogart, and Ryan Meinerding.
Mark Henn, with a special presentation on stage by Disney Legends Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Linda Larkin, Ming-Na Wen, and Anika Noni Rose. For over 40 years, Henn has contributed to creating or animating some timeless characters from the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios, including Tiana, Mulan, young Simba, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, and Mickey Mouse. A tribute video honoring Henn featured comments from Tony Bancroft, John Musker, David Block, and Rachel Bibb.
Joe Rohde, with a special video message from Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, and a performance on stage by the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe from Walt Disney World Resort.
In her video, Goodall said of Rohde: “You have contributed so much to the success and fame of Disney theme parks over the years and have given so many people an exciting and wonderful day.” The tribute video honoring Rohde featured comments from Goodall, Disney Legend James Cameron, Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn, and Walt Disney Imagineering creative partners including Jeanette Lomboy, Carmen Smith, Zsolt Hormay, Emily O’Brien, Jennifer Gerstin, and Mark LaVine. The Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe, hailing from Central Africa, provide rhythm for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Band member Amadou Ndaw presented the award to Rohde.
James Cameron, with a special video message from Kate Winslet and the award presented by Zoe Saldaña. In her video to Cameron, Kate Winslet stated: “You have revolutionized the film production process too many times to count, developing cutting-edge technology to create a realistic and immersive experience for audiences.” Saldaña, who will have worked with Cameron for over 16 years by the time the third chapter of Avatar is released in 2025, stated: “Working with you has been a wild ride. Your passion, dedication, and eye for detail are truly unmatched.” A tribute video honoring Cameron featured comments from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet.
Angela Bassett, with a special presentation on stage by Ryan Coogler and the Dora Milaje from the Marvel film Black Panther. Coogler praised Bassett’s profound legacy, stating: “She has always delivered these extraordinary performances that somehow still feel incredibly real and tangible. What she does is truly a gift.” A tribute video honoring Bassett featured comments from Coogler and Courtney B. Vance.
John Williams, with a special presentation on stage by Disney Legend Harrison Ford and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, followed by a performance by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra of some of Williams’ most iconic scores. Ford stated: “For over half a century, every time John Williams composes a new score, he finds a way to infuse the stories and characters of the films with an essential and timeless quality. This is because John is a storyteller.” Kennedy added: “It is not an exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time. His music has transcended cinema and become part of our global culture, touching the hearts of billions, young and old.”
A tribute video honoring Williams featured comments from Ford, Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Ke Huy Quan, Daisy Ridley, and George Lucas.
The Sunday celebrations followed two nights of showcases with exciting performances and announcements from Disney Entertainment and Disney Experiences. Throughout the weekend, tens of thousands of fans from around the world were welcomed with a series of specially curated events and experiences from all the Disney worlds, including star appearances, major announcements, and the largest exhibit area in D23 history. This unique and historic event allowed fans to engage with the stories, characters, and Disney brands they love on an even larger scale, in a way that only Disney can.