The D23 will take place from Friday 9 August to Sunday 11 August 2024. It is on this last day that the Disney Legends ceremony takes place. It is presented by Ryan Seacrest. It’s time to reveal this year’s winners.
Disney Legends Awards
The Disney Legends programme has been a tradition at The Walt Disney Company for 37 years. It began when Fred MacMurray was honoured. The Disney Legends Awards pay tribute to the artists, imagineers…
According to Bob Iger: “Being Disney Legends is the highest honour our company can bestow on anyone, reserved for those whose talent and achievements have earned them a lasting place in our history.”
The 2024 winners
Colleen Atwood
Colleen Atwood designs costumes for films. This designer has won 4 Oscars, including one for the film Alice in Wonderland directed by Tim Burton.
Angela Bassett
Who doesn’t know Angela Bassett? Queen Ramonda of Wakanda in the Black Panther films. In 2023, she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It was not until 2024 that she received an honorary Oscar.
Martha Blanding
This retired Cast Member was a VIP guide at the Disneyland Resort before joining the management team at the Californian park. She is the first Black Disney Parks employee to become a Disney Legends.
James L. Brooks
He is none other than the producer of a very famous animated series: The Simpsons. He made his debut with Terms Of Endearment, for which he won three Oscars.
James Cameron
Jamie Lee Curtis
This American actress won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2022 for the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. More recently, she played Madame Leota in Haunted Mansion.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is a singer, songwriter and actress who rose to fame with the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. At the age of 31, she is the youngest winner ever to be named Disney Legends.
Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko is a cartoonist best known for co-drawing Spider-Man with Stan Lee. He has reimagined many of Marvel’s iconic characters. He redesigned Iron Man’s armour and gave Bruce Banner a makeover.
Harrison Ford
This actor, known for his roles as Han Solo and Indiana Jones, needs no introduction. He will also appear as President Thaddeus in the forthcoming Marvel film Captain America: Brave New World, due for release in 2025.
Mark Henn
He joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1980. He was commissioned to paint Mickey’s official portrait for the famous mouse’s 90th birthday.
Frank Oz
Director, producer, performer and writer, he has directed over a dozen films. He created and interpreted Master Yoda for Star Wars. He also lends his voice to Disney and Pixar characters.
Kelly Ripa
Since 2001, she has presented a programme on ABC: Live. She is best known for her 12-year stint in the series The Force of Destiny.
Joe Rohde
Joe Rohde spent 40 years with Walt Disney Imagineering, retiring in 2021. He is the supervising designer of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as extensions such as Expedition Everest and Pandora.
John Williams
With a career spanning more than 60 years, John Williams has composed the music for more than 200 films and series. These include nine films in the Star Wars saga and all five Indiana Jones films.
Figures to remember
318: That’s the number of Disney Legends that have been named since its creation.