D23 Inducts 14 New Disney Legends (Photos)

Sunday evening, an extravagant ceremony closed out D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event as The Walt Disney Company honored 14 new Disney Legends: Disney animator Mark Henn, The Simpsons executive producer James L. Brooks, Marvel Comics writer/artist Steve Ditko, Muppets icon Frank Oz and Imagineering exec Joe Rohde; household names like Angela Bassett, James Cameron, Harrison Ford, Miley Cyrus, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kelly Ripa and composer John Williams; as well as four-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood and pioneering Disney parks hospitality icon and manager, Martha Blanding.

This year’s ceremony, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, was the largest in the 37 years since the first Disney Legend was honored. And for the first time ever, the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony is available to stream exclusively on Disney+ (available now).

Disney CEO Bob Iger welcomed guests to the ceremony and highlighted the historical significance of the award. “The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor our company bestows,” Iger said. “It’s presented as a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and, above all, a sincere expression of our deep gratitude. Disney Legends are bound by the special place they have earned in our history for their tremendous contributions in service of entertaining and delighting fans around the globe.”

The Disney Legends Awards is a 37-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, which began when Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire) was honored in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 318 Disney Legends have been named.

Each Disney Legend received a special video tribute and surprise guest appearances, including popular film, television and music stars, Disney cast members and major musical ensemble performances.

Mark Henn was honored with a special on-stage presentation from fellow Disney Legends Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Linda Larkin (Jasmine), Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) and Anika Noni Rose (Tiana).

For over 40 years, Henn helped create and animate some of the most timeless characters in Walt Disney Animation Studios history, including Tiana, Mulan, Young Simba, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel and Mickey Mouse.

A tribute video honoring Henn’s work featured commentary from Disney animation colleagues Tony Bancroft, John Musker, David Block and Rachel Bibb.

James L. Brooks was welcomed with an animated video from The Simpsons characters and an on-stage presentation from Danny DeVito.

From the stage, DeVito said, “Jim is a genius. He creates moments that are so funny, sad, and eloquent — unique windows into the human condition.”

A tribute video honoring Brooks featured commentary from the stars who voice the beloved The Simpsons characters: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith.

Frank Oz received an on-stage presentation from Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.

Speaking about his friend, Docter commented on Oz’s incredible career: “Frank has truly created some of the best characters in the history of entertainment.”

A tribute video honoring Oz featured commentary from Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Robert De Niro and Disney Legend Steve Martin.

Steve Ditko was remembered with an on-stage presentation from Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Feige presented the award posthumously to Ditko’s nephew, Mark Ditko.

On 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 commentary from Feige, Disney Legend Stan Lee, and creative storytellers from Marvel, including C.B. Cebulski, Tom DeFalco, Ralph Macchio, David Bogart, and Ryan Meinerding.

Joe Rohde received a video message from Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE and an on-stage performance from Walt Disney World Resort’s Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe.

In her video, Goodall said of Rohde, “You’ve contributed so much to the success and reputation of Disney’s theme parks over the years and given so many people an exciting and wonderful day.”

A tribute video honoring Rohde featured commentary from Goodall, fellow Disney Legend James Cameron, Walt Disney Imagineering CCO Bruce Vaughn, and creative partners from Walt Disney Imagineering including Jeanette Lomboy, Carmen Smith, Zsolt Hormay, Emily O’Brien, Jennifer Gerstin and Mark LaVine.

Originally from the Congo, in Central Africa, the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe set the rhythm at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Band member Amadou Ndaw presented Rohde with his award.

Harrison Ford got a special presentation from Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, as well as a tribute video honoring Ford featured commentary from 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.

James Cameron received a video message from Kate Winslet and an on-stage presentation of the award from Zoë Saldaña, as well as a tribute video featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sigourney Weaver and Kate Winslet.

Angela Bassett was hailed by an on-stage presentation from Ryan Coogler and the Dora Milaje from Marvel’s Black Panther. Coogler also appeared in her video tribute, alongside Courtney B. Vance.

Jamie Lee Curtis was given an on-stage presentation from best friend Jodie Foster and Freakier Friday co-star Lindsay Lohan, and tribute video honoring Curtis featured commentary from fellow Disney Legend James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Kelly Ripa got an on-stage presentation from Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest was also featured in a tribute video for Ripa, alongside her Live with Kelly and Mark co-host/husband Mark Consuelos.

Martha Blanding was serenaded with on-stage presentation from Derek Hough and a performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Disneyland Resort’s The Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band. A tribute video honoring Blanding featured commentary from Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Tim O’Day, Noah Elias and Walt Disney Company colleagues and cast members Jada Young, Clark Jones, Chris Sheppard and Michelle Harker.

Colleen Atwood received an on-stage presentation from director Rob Marshall, and a tribute video featuring Marshall, Colin Farrell, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Melissa McCarthy, James Bobin, Jonah Hauer-King, Halle Bailey and Eva Green.

Miley Cyrus received an on-stage presentation and performance from Lainey Wilson, who performed the Hannah Montana tune “Best of Both Worlds.” Her tribute video featured John Travolta, Bret Michaels and Chappell Roan.

John Williams was presented by fellow Disney Legend Harrison Ford and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, followed by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s performance of some of Williams’ film scores and a tribute video featuring Ford, Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Ke Huy Quan, Daisy Ridley and George Lucas.