The Walt Disney Company has officially unveiled its Disney Legends 2026 class, and the roster reads like a who’s who of Hollywood, Broadway, and corporate leadership. This year’s honorees represent decades of creative influence, from blockbuster film producers to beloved voice actors to one of the most consequential executives in the company’s modern history. The annual Disney Legends Award remains the company’s most prestigious recognition, reserved for individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the Disney legacy.
With twelve new inductees joining the prestigious ranks, the total count of Disney Legends will climb to 329 individuals. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s star-studded ceremony, the honorees themselves, and how fans can tune in to witness history in the making.
What Is the Disney Legends Award?
The Disney Legends Award represents the highest honor bestowed by The Walt Disney Company. For nearly four decades, this tradition has celebrated extraordinary individuals whose creativity, leadership, and talent have shaped the entertainment giant into the cultural powerhouse it is today.
“D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is where we come together to give our incredible fans an early look at what’s coming next across our company, while celebrating the legacy of the extraordinary people whose creativity has shaped Disney into what it is today,” explained Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro in announcing the Disney Legends 2026 class.
The ceremony itself has become one of the most anticipated moments during D23’s biannual fan events, blending heartfelt tributes with surprise performances and emotional reunions. It’s a chance for Disney to publicly thank the people who have helped build its empire across film, television, music, theme parks, and beyond.
The Disney Legends 2026 Induction Ceremony Details
Mark your calendars: the Disney Legends 2026 induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 16, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Television personality and media mogul Ryan Seacrest will serve as the host for the evening’s festivities.
For fans who can’t make the trip to Southern California, Disney+ will stream the entire ceremony live, ensuring that the magic reaches households around the globe. This accessibility has become a hallmark of recent D23 events, reflecting Disney’s commitment to celebrating its community of fans.
Leadership and Imagineering: The Visionaries
Two of this year’s honorees represent the strategic and creative leadership that has defined Disney’s modern era.
Bob Iger (Leadership)
Few executives have shaped contemporary Disney quite like Bob Iger. The former Chairman and CEO led the company through what many consider its most ambitious period of expansion, orchestrating blockbuster acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. These strategic moves transformed Disney from a beloved but traditional entertainment studio into a sprawling multimedia conglomerate.
Iger’s induction marks a poignant full-circle moment, recognizing the leader whose vision helped bring characters like Iron Man, Luke Skywalker, and Woody into the Disney family. His tenure fundamentally reshaped the entertainment landscape.
Kim Irvine (Imagineering)
With a remarkable 55-year career at Walt Disney Imagineering, Kim Irvine has been a creative force behind Disneyland Park’s continued evolution. As a longtime leader in creative development, Irvine has helped maintain the magic and immersive storytelling that defines the Disney theme park experience. Her decades of dedication represent the kind of institutional knowledge that keeps Disney’s parks feeling fresh yet timeless.
The Voices and Music: Soundtrack to Disney History
Music and voice acting have always been central to the Disney experience, and the Disney Legends 2026 class honors several icons whose voices have become inseparable from beloved characters and songs.
Susan Egan (Voice)
Susan Egan made history as Broadway’s original Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” earning a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal. Disney fans also know her as the voice of Megara in the animated classic “Hercules.” Her dual contributions to both stage and screen make her a quintessential Disney Legend, embodying the company’s theatrical roots and animated legacy.
Jonas Brothers (Television & Music)
Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas are being honored as they celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band. The Jonas Brothers have built a multi-faceted entertainment career that includes television, music, and various Disney-affiliated projects. Their recognition highlights Disney’s enduring relationship with musicians who have grown alongside the brand.
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Music & Film)
Pulitzer Prize-winning creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has become one of Disney’s most important musical collaborators in recent years. His work on “Moana” and “Encanto” produced songs that have transcended the films themselves, becoming cultural touchstones. Tracks like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “How Far I’ll Go” have entered the modern songbook, cementing Miranda’s legacy as a Disney songwriting great.
Blockbuster Architects: The Producers and Animators
Behind every Disney classic are the unsung heroes whose creative decisions shaped what audiences ultimately saw on screen.
Jerry Bruckheimer (Film)
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is being honored for his stewardship of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, which has become one of Disney’s most lucrative film series. Bruckheimer’s influence extends well beyond pirate adventures, but his work with Disney helped redefine what a theme park attraction could become when translated to the big screen.
Eric Goldberg (Animation)
Animator Eric Goldberg is the creative mind who brought the Genie to vivid, hilarious life in “Aladdin.” His distinctive animation style helped define one of Disney’s most iconic characters, voiced by the late Robin Williams. Goldberg’s contributions to Disney Animation represent the kind of artistic excellence that has kept hand-drawn and digitally assisted animation at the heart of the studio’s identity.
Stars of the Silver Screen: Acting Honorees
The acting contingent of the Disney Legends 2026 class includes performers whose careers have been intertwined with Disney in memorable ways.
Anne Hathaway (Film)
Before she was an Oscar-winning actress, Anne Hathaway was Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries.” The 2001 film launched her career and established a lasting connection with Disney. Hathaway’s journey from princess-in-training to one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses represents the kind of career trajectory Disney has helped foster for decades.
Dwayne Johnson (Film & Voice)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Disney portfolio is remarkably diverse, spanning from voicing Maui in “Moana” to starring in the live-action adventure “Jungle Cruise.” His charisma and box office draw have made him one of Disney’s most reliable stars, capable of anchoring both animated features and action-packed theatrical releases.
Alan Tudyk (Voice & Film)
Alan Tudyk holds a truly unique distinction in Disney Animation history: he has voiced a character in every Disney Animation film since “Wreck-It Ralph” in 2012. Starting with the unforgettable King Candy, Tudyk has become the studio’s secret weapon, bringing depth, humor, and distinctive character voices to dozens of beloved roles.
ESPN’s Foundational Voice
Chris Berman (Television)
Chris Berman’s inclusion recognizes the massive role ESPN has played in the Disney empire. As one of the network’s most recognizable voices for over 40 years, Berman helped shape sports broadcasting into the entertainment powerhouse it is today. His tenure mirrors ESPN’s growth from a fledgling cable channel into a dominant sports media brand.
The Full 2026 Disney Legends Class
For quick reference, here’s the complete list of Disney Legends 2026 honorees and their areas of contribution:
- Chris Berman , Television
- Jerry Bruckheimer , Film
- Susan Egan , Voice
- Eric Goldberg , Animation
- Anne Hathaway , Film
- Bob Iger , Leadership
- Kim Irvine , Imagineering
- Dwayne Johnson , Film & Voice
- Jonas Brothers , Television & Music
- Lin-Manuel Miranda , Music & Film
- Alan Tudyk , Voice & Film
Looking Ahead: The Growing Legacy
With the addition of these twelve honorees, the Disney Legends family now numbers 329 individuals, each representing a unique thread in the rich tapestry of Disney history. The diversity of this year’s class, spanning film, television, animation, music, voice acting, theme park design, and corporate leadership, reflects the multifaceted nature of what Disney has become.
The Disney Legends 2026 ceremony promises to be one of the most emotionally resonant D23 events in recent memory. Honoring Bob Iger in particular adds a layer of poignancy, as it represents a moment of recognition for an executive whose strategic decisions fundamentally reshaped the company. Meanwhile, the inclusion of creative talents like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne Johnson underscores Disney’s continued investment in storytelling across multiple platforms and audiences.
As fans prepare to celebrate at the Honda Center or tune in via Disney+, this year’s class reminds us that Disney’s magic has always been a collaborative effort, built by countless individuals whose passion and creativity have entertained generations. The Legends Award isn’t just a trophy; it’s a permanent acknowledgment that these people helped create the memories and stories that have defined childhoods, families, and cultural moments for nearly a century.