The Walt Disney Company has announced it will honour 14 new Disney Legends in a special awards ceremony hosted by Emmy Award winner Tamron Hall, which will kick off D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa in Anaheim, California.
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 will be honored for their significant and lasting contributions to the Disney legacy.
The three-day D23 Expo will begin on September 9 with a fantastic spectacle that includes not only the Disney Legends Awards ceremony, but an early look at Disney 100 Years of Wonder, an extraordinary celebration 100 years in the making, the media company said in a statement.
“For nearly a century, Disney has been entertaining and inspiring people around the world,” said Bob Chapek, CEO, 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 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, which will be streamed live 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, as well as The North American Tour of Frozen.
The Disney Legends Awards programme started in 1987, when actor Fred MacMurray became the first Disney Legend. Including this year’s honourees, 304 Disney Legends have been named, including 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, Ming-Na Wen, Betty White, and Robin Williams, among others.