Disney Honors 11 New Legends as D23 2026 Comes to a Close

Disney closed out D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 with one of the weekend’s biggest celebrations, honoring 11 new Disney Legends during a star-studded ceremony in Anaheim. The Disney Legends Award is the company’s highest honor, recognizing the artists, performers, creators and leaders whose work has made a lasting impact on Disney and audiences around the world.

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and opened by Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, the ceremony celebrated a 2026 class spanning film, television, animation, music, theme parks and sports.

Meet the 2026 Disney Legends

• Lin-Manuel Miranda was celebrated for his contributions to Disney storytelling and music, including his work on Moana and Encanto. His tribute featured a musical medley of songs from Moana, Encanto and Hamilton, with Auli’i Cravalho presenting the award and Jordan Fisher, Nikki M. James and others joining the celebration.
• Alan Tudyk, whose extensive Disney voice work includes characters from Frozen, Zootopia and other animated favorites, was honored with a video highlighting his memorable characters. Zootopia star Ginnifer Goodwin presented him with the award.
• Kim Irvine was recognized for her influential career with Walt Disney Imagineering and her role in bringing some of Disney Parks’ most beloved experiences to life. Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen presented the honor and celebrated Irvine’s lasting impact on the parks.
• The Jonas Brothers joined the Disney Legends ranks in recognition of their decades-long relationship with Disney and work across the company’s brands. Vanessa Hudgens presented the award, reflecting on the brothers’ lasting connection to Disney and the generation of fans who grew up with them.
• Susan Egan, the original Belle in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast, was celebrated with a musical tribute featuring performers who followed in her footsteps as Belle. The ceremony also included KATSEYE performing “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from Hercules, another story closely connected to Egan through her role as Megara.
• Chris Berman was honored for a career that helped redefine sports broadcasting. His tribute featured video appearances from Robin Roberts, Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner, Jerry Jones and Scott Hanson. NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young presented Berman with his Disney Legends award.
• Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer behind numerous major films and franchises, was honored for his ability to create cinematic worlds that have resonated with audiences. Orlando Bloom presented the award and reflected on Bruckheimer’s impact as a filmmaker and storyteller.
• Eric Goldberg, the celebrated Disney animator behind characters including the Genie from Aladdin, received his award from Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush. In recognition of Goldberg’s work creating the Genie, the Disneyland Band performed “Friend Like Me.”
• Anne Hathaway was inducted into the Disney Legends following a career that includes her starring role in The Princess Diaries and other Disney projects. The Devil Wears Prada 2 director David Frankel presented the honor, while Anna Wintour appeared in a special video message.
• Dwayne Johnson was honored for his work across Disney films and franchises, with Emily Blunt presenting the award. During the tribute, Blunt reflected on Johnson’s career and his influence on the meaning of being a modern movie star.
• Bob Iger rounded out the 2026 class, with Josh D’Amaro introducing a tribute to the longtime Disney leader. The celebration included appearances from Al Michaels and fellow Disney Legends Diane Sawyer, Ellen Pompeo, Robert Downey Jr. and Harrison Ford, recognizing Iger’s impact on the company and its evolution.

A Star-Studded Finale to D23

The ceremony concluded with Samantha Barks performing “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” before all 11 members of the 2026 Disney Legends class gathered on stage alongside Disney characters.

The awards capped three packed days of D23 programming that included major Disney Entertainment and Experiences announcements, performances, immersive exhibits, exclusive shopping and panels. Sunday’s lineup also included the premiere of Leslie Iwerks’ new documentary Disney Worldbuilders, The Disney Experiences Auction, programming exploring Disney history and music, and A Whole New World of Alan Menken.

The 2026 class reflects just how broad the Disney legacy has become, bringing together performers, filmmakers, animators, Imagineers, musicians, executives and sports personalities whose careers have each contributed a different piece to the company’s storytelling history.

The 2026 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will be available to watch on Disney+.

Janine Kiray

Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.