The Walt Disney Company paid tribute to 14 individuals who have left a mark on its historic legacy.
At the ceremony that closed out Disney’s D23 Fan Event, the company welcomed 14 new Disney Legends.
“The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor our company bestows. It’s presented as a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and, above all, a sincere expression of our deep gratitude,” said CEO Bob Iger.
“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.”
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This year’s honorees included Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams.
Special Tributes
Each honoree was welcomed onstage with video tributes and surprise guest appearances. There were also performances by music stars and major musical ensembles.
Harrison Ford
Iger presented Ford’s award himself, saying “He is the definition of the leading man, who stands alone in a category all his own.”
The video honoring Ford featured past co-stars and collaborators including Steven Spielberg, Adam Driver, Anthony Mackie, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Daisy Ridley, Ke Huy Quan, and fellow Disney Legend George Lucas.
“I love the people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” said the Indiana Jones star. “Nobody does anything in this business alone. We work in collaboration.”
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus, who launched her career through Hannah Montana, is the youngest star to receive Disney Legend status.
Rising pop star Chappell Roan was one of the people who paid tribute to Cyrus in a video. In her speech, she recalled how Cyrus was the very first artist she saw in concert.
“I still think about the show. I’m like, ‘I want to be like Hannah Montana,’ to this day,” Roan shared. “Miley does anything and it works. Miley feels like freedom to me.”
Lainey Wilson then welcomed the singer onstage after a performance of “Best of Both Worlds,” the Hannah Montana theme song.
Cyrus recalled her journey from auditioning for Hannah Montana to her first free mall concert. “I was a little girl in a blonde wig at the mall with a big dream, but in my heart, I was Hannah Montana, and I was so proud to be,” she shared.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Curtis’ best friend Jodie Foster and Freaky Friday co-star Lindsay Lohan introduced the new Disney Legend with an onstage presentation.
“Every character she plays is different, and she always brings something unique to the role,” Lohan said in her speech.
“She is so thoughtful and so generous, such a supportive and kind cheerleader,” Foster added later. “She is inventive, fearless, and full of surprises.”
“The truth is, legends aren’t born, they’re created,” Curtis shared when she climbed the stage. “They’re created and nurtured and taught and educated. And then they make art and we connect the art.”
“You make legends. You are the legends. Because without you, none of this is possible,” the actress said, addressing the audience.
Banner image via Instagram @mileycyrus.
