Disney to award more legends at D23 Expo

D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa will kick off Sept. 9, with a spectacle that includes the Disney Legends Awards ceremony and an early look at “Disney 100 Years of Wonder”—an extraordinary celebration 100 years in the making. The opening ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. in Anaheim Convention Center.

“For nearly a century, Disney has been entertaining and inspiring people around the world,” said Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “I can’t wait to give fans a first look at what we have in store for our hundredth anniversary, and how we’re using this occasion to celebrate all the fans and families who have welcomed Disney into their lives.”

The opening event, which will be streamed as part of D23 Expo, will feature musical performances, special guests and surprises for the audience, including a special performance by cast members from Disney On Broadway’s productions of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King,” and The North American tour of “Frozen.”

The Disney Legends Award is given to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the Disney legacy, and this year’s honorees include Anthony Anderson, Kristen Bell, Chadwick Boseman, Rob’t Coltrin, Patrick Dempsey, Robert Price “Bob” Foster, Jonathan Groff, Don Hahn, Josh Gad, Doris Hardoon, Idina Menzel, Chris Montan, Ellen Pompeo and Tracee Ellis Ross. Emmy Award winner Tamron Hall will host.

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 35-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, which began when Fred MacMurray was honored in 1987. The awards ceremony is just one of the many events fans can enjoy during the three-day D23 Expo.

Honorees receive a twofoot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, firstserved basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 Expo 2022.

Including this year’s honorees, a total of 304 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Robert Downey Jr., Annette Funicello, Whoopi Goldberg, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Robin Roberts, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, MingNa Wen, Betty White and Robin Williams, among many others. Beginning with the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, thousands of Disney fans have been able to enjoy the Disney Legends Awards ceremony in-person.

D23 Expo is sold out. Select presentations will be streamed for guests at D23 Expo Live!