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The Disney Legends Awards is a hall of fame program that recognizes individuals who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company. Established in 1987, the honor was traditionally awarded annually during a special private ceremony; since 2009, it has been awarded biennially during Disney's D23 Expo.[1]
Recipients are chosen by a selection committee, formerly appointed and chaired by Disney Legend Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney's nephew, former vice chairman and director emeritus of The Walt Disney Company. The committee consists of long-time Disney executives, historians and other authorities. Besides the award statuette itself, each honoree is represented by a bronze commemorative plaque; featuring the recipients' handprints and signature if they were living when inducted, or simply an image of the statuette emblem if the induction was posthumous. The plaques are placed on display in Legends Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, across from the Michael D. Eisner Building. Legends also receive a Disney Golden Pass, a lifetime pass to all Disney theme parks.
Imagineer Andrea Favilli created the Disney Legends award, which is handcrafted from bronze each year. The award depicts the arm of Mickey Mouse holding a star-tipped wand.
Disney describes the award as follows:
The Disney Legends award has three distinct elements that characterize the contributions made by each talented recipient.
The Spiral ... stands for imagination, the power of an idea.
The Hand ... holds the gifts of skill, discipline and craftsmanship.
The Wand and the Star ... represent magic: the spark that is ignited when imagination and skill combine to create a new dream.[2]
The first Disney Legends committee consisted of Dave Smith; Arlene Ludwig; Marty Sklar, Randy Bright; Jack Lindquist; Sharon Harwood; Art Levitt; Shelley Miles; Paula Sigman; Doris Smith; and Stacia Martin. Recipients
1987 | 1988 | 1989
1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009
2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019
Blue ribbon = awarded posthumously
Class of 1987
- Fred MacMurray, Film
Class of 1988
- Virginia Davis, Animation
- Norman Palmer, Film
Class of 1989
- Les Clark, Animation Blue ribbon
- Marc Davis, Animation/Imagineering
- Ub Iwerks, Animation/Imagineering Blue ribbon
- Ollie Johnston, Animation
- Milt Kahl, Animation Blue ribbon
- Ward Kimball, Animation & Imagineering
- Eric Larson, Animation Blue ribbon
- John Lounsbery, Animation Blue ribbon
- Wolfgang Reitherman, Animation Blue ribbon
- Frank Thomas, Animation
All except Iwerks were Disney's "Nine Old Men."
Class of 1990
- Roger Broggie, Imagineering
- Joe Fowler, Attractions
- John Hench, Animation & Imagineering
- Richard Irvine, Imagineering Blue ribbon
- Herb Ryman, Imagineering Blue ribbon
- Richard Sherman, Music
- Robert Sherman, Music
Class of 1991
- Ken Anderson, Animation, Imagineering
- Julie Andrews, Film
- Carl Barks, Animation & Publishing
- Mary Blair, Animation & Imagineering Blue ribbon
- Claude Coats, Animation & Imagineering
- Don DaGradi, Animation & Film
- Sterling Holloway, Animation—Voice
- Fess Parker, Film & Television
- Bill Walsh, Film & Television Blue ribbon
Class of 1992
- Jimmie Dodd, Television Blue ribbon
- Bill Evans, Imagineering
- Annette Funicello, Film & Television
- Joe Grant, Animation
- Jack Hannah, Animation
- Winston Hibler, Film Blue ribbon
- Ken O'Connor, Animation & Imagineering
- Roy Williams, Animation & Television Blue ribbon
Class of 1993
- Pinto Colvig, Animation—Voice Blue ribbon
- Buddy Ebsen, Film & Television
- Peter Ellenshaw, Film
- Blaine Gibson, Animation & Imagineering
- Harper Goff, Film & Imagineering
- Irving Ludwig, Film
- Jimmy MacDonald, Animation—Voice Blue ribbon
- Clarence Nash, Animation—Voice Blue ribbon
- Donn Tatum, Administration
- Card Walker, Administration
Class of 1994
- Adriana Caselotti, Animation—Voice
- Bill Cottrell, Animation & Imagineering
- Marvin Davis, Film & Imagineering
- Van France, Attractions
- David Hand, Animation Blue ribbon
- Jack Lindquist, Attractions
- Bill Martin, Imagineering
- Paul J. Smith, Music Blue ribbon
- Frank Wells, Administration Blue ribbon
Class of 1995
- Wally Boag, Attractions
- Fulton Burley, Attractions
- Dean Jones, Film
- Angela Lansbury, Film
- Edward Meck, Attractions Blue ribbon
- Fred Moore, Animation Blue ribbon
- Thurl Ravenscroft, Animation—Voice
- Wathel Rogers, Imagineering
- Betty Taylor, Attractions
Class of 1996
- Bob Allen, Attractions Blue ribbon
- Rex Allen, Film & Television
- X Atencio, Animation & Imagineering
- Betty Lou Gerson, Animation—Voice
- Bill Justice, Animation & Imagineering
- Bob Matheison, Attractions
- Sam McKim, Imagineering
- Bob Moore, Animation & Film
- Bill Peet, Animation—Story
- Joe Potter, Attractions Blue ribbon
Class of 1997
This ceremony was held at Disneyland Paris to celebrate its 5th birthday. All 1997 inductees are of European origin.
- Lucien Adés, Music Blue ribbon
- Angel Angelopoulos, Publishing Blue ribbon
- Antonio Bertini, Character Merchandise
- Armand Bigle, Character Merchandise
- Gaudenzio Capelli, Publishing
- Roberto de Leonardis, Film Blue ribbon
- Cyril Edgar, Film Blue ribbon
- Wally Feignoux, Film Blue ribbon
- Didier Fouret, Publishing Blue ribbon
- Mario Gentilini, Publishing Blue ribbon
- Cyril James, Film & Merchandise Blue ribbon
- Horst Koblischek, Character Merchandise
- Gunnar Mansson, Character Merchandise
- Arnoldo Mondadori, Publishing Blue ribbon
- Armand Palivoda, Film Blue ribbon
- Poul Brahe Pedersen, Publishing Blue ribbon
- André Vanneste, Character Merchandise Blue ribbon
- Paul Winkler, Character Merchandise Blue ribbon
Class of 1998
- James Algar, Animation & Film
- Buddy Baker, Music
- Kathryn Beaumont, Animation—Voice
- Roy E. Disney, Film, Animation & Administration
- Don Escen, Administration
- Wilfred Jackson, Animation Blue ribbon
- Glynis Johns, Film
- Kay Kamen, Character Merchandise Blue ribbon
- Paul Kenworthy, Film
- Larry Lansburgh, Film & Television
- Hayley Mills, Film
- Al Milotte and Elma Milotte, Film Blue ribbon
- Norman "Stormy" Palmer, Film
- Lloyd Richardson, Film
- Kurt Russell, Film
- Ben Sharpsteen, Animation & Film Blue ribbon
- Masatomo Takahashi, Administration
- Vladimir (Bill) Tytla, Animation Blue ribbon
- Dick Van Dyke, Film
- Matsuo Yokoyama, Character Merchandise
Class of 1999
- Tim Allen, Television, Film & Animation-Voice.
- Mary Costa, Animation—Voice
- Norm Ferguson, Animation Blue ribbon
- Bill Garity, Film Blue ribbon
- Yale Gracey, Animation & Imagineering Blue ribbon
- Al Konetzni, Character Merchandise
- Hamilton Luske, Animation Blue ribbon
- Dick Nunis, Attractions
- Charlie Ridgway, Attractions
Class of 2000
- Grace Bailey, Animation Blue ribbon
- Harriet Burns, Imagineering
- Joyce Carlson, Animation & Imagineering
- Ron Dominguez, Parks & Resorts
- Cliff Edwards, Animation—Voice Blue ribbon
- Becky Fallberg, Animation
- Dick Jones, Animation—Voice
- Dodie Roberts, Animation
- Retta Scott, Animation Blue ribbon
- Ruthie Tompson, Animation
Class of 2001
- Howard Ashman, Music Blue ribbon
- Bob Broughton, Film
- George Bruns, Music Blue ribbon
- Frank Churchill, Music Blue ribbon
- Leigh Harline, Music Blue ribbon
- Fred Joerger, Imagineering
- Alan Menken, Music
- Martin Sklar, Imagineering
- Ned Washington, Music Blue ribbon
- Tyrus Wong, Animation
Class of 2002
In honor of the opening of the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris, all 2002 inductees are of European origin. The ceremony was held in the Animation building at the new park on opening day.
- Ken Annakin, Film
- Hugh Attwooll, Film
- Maurice Chevalier, Film Blue ribbon
- Phil Collins, Music
- Sir John Mills, Film
- Robert Newton, Film & Television
- Sir Tim Rice, Music
- Robert Stevenson, Film
- Richard Todd, Film & Television
- David Tomlinson, Film Blue ribbon
Class of 2003
Following a dispute between Roy E. Disney and the company that resulted in Disney departing, Robert Iger, the company's then-president and COO, co-presented with Michael Eisner.
- Neil Beckett, Merchandise Blue ribbon
- Tutti Camarata, Music
- Edna Francis Disney Blue ribbon
- Lillian Disney Blue ribbon
- Orlando Ferrante, Imagineering
- Richard Fleischer, Film
- Floyd Gottfredson, Animation Blue ribbon
- Buddy Hackett, Film & Television Blue ribbon
- Harrison "Buzz" Price, Research Economist.
- Al Taliaferro, Cartoonist Blue ribbon
- Ilene Woods, Music—Voice
Class of 2004
- Bill Anderson, Film, Television Blue ribbon
- Tim Conway, Film
- Rolly Crump, Imagineering
- Alice Davis, Imagineering
- Karen Dotrice, Film & Television
- Matthew Garber, Film Blue ribbon
- Leonard H. Goldenson, Television Blue ribbon
- Bob Gurr, Imagineering
- Ralph Kent, Imagineering & Attractions
- Irwin Kostal, Music Blue ribbon
- Mel Shaw, Animation
Class of 2005
In honor of Disneyland's 50th anniversary in 2005, all recipients are related to either Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and/or Walt Disney Imagineering, and nearly all have had some connection with Disneyland. Roy E. Disney again co-presented the awards, after a two-year hiatus and a return to the company.
- Chuck Abbott, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Milt Albright, Parks & Resorts
- Hideo Amemiya, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Hideo Aramaki, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Charles Boyer, Parks & Resorts
- Randy Bright, Imagineer Blue ribbon
- James Cora, Parks & Resorts
- Robert Jani, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Mary Jones, Parks & Resorts
- Art Linkletter, Parks & Resorts
- Mary Anne Mang, Parks & Resorts
- Steve Martin, Parks & Resorts
- Tom Nabbe, Parks & Resorts
- Jack Olsen, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Cicely Rigdon, Parks & Resorts
- William Sullivan, Parks & Resorts
- Jack Wagner, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Vesey Walker, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
Class of 2006
- Richard Kline (Imagineering)
- Tim Considine (Television & Film)
- Kevin Corcoran (Television & Film)
- Al Dempster (Animation)
- Don Edgren, Imagineering
- Paul Frees, Television, Film & Parks Blue ribbon
- Peter Jennings, Television Blue ribbon
- Sir Elton John, Music
- Jimmy Johnson, Music Blue ribbon
- Tommy Kirk, Television & Film
- Joe Ranft, Animation Blue ribbon
- David Stollery, Television & Film
- Ginny Tyler, Television & Film
Class of 2007
- Roone Arledge (Television) Blue ribbon
- Art Babbitt (Animation) Blue ribbon
- Carl Bongirno (Imagineering)
- Marge Champion (Animation)
- Dick Huemer (Animation) Blue ribbon
- Ron Logan (Parks & Resorts)
- Lucille Martin (Animation)
- Tom Murphy (Administration)
- Randy Newman (Music)
- Floyd Norman (Animation)
- Bob Schiffer (Film Production)
- Dave Smith (Archives)
Class of 2008
- Wayne Allwine, Animation (voice)
- Bob Booth, Attractions
- Neil Gallagher, Attractions
- Frank Gifford, Television
- Burny Mattinson, Animation
- Walter Peregoy, Animation
- Dorothea Redmond, Designer
- Russi Taylor, Animation (voice)
- Toshio Kagami, Parks and Resorts
- Barbara Walters, Television
- Oliver Wallace, Music Blue ribbon
Class of 2009
- Tony Anselmo, Animation (voice)
- Harry Archinal, Film
- Beatrice Arthur, Film & Television Blue ribbon
- Bill Farmer, Animation (voice)
- Estelle Getty, Film & Television Blue ribbon
- Don Iwerks, Film
- Rue McClanahan, Film & Television
- Leota Toombs Thomas, Attractions Blue ribbon
- Betty White, Film & Television
- Robin Williams, Film, Animation (voice)
Class of 2011
- Regis Philbin, Television
- Jim Henson, Film, Television Blue ribbon
- Jodi Benson, Animation (voice)
- Paige O'Hara, Animation (voice)
- Lea Salonga, Animation (voice)
- Linda Larkin, Animation (voice)
- Anika Noni Rose, Animation (voice)
- Jack Wrather, Parks & Resorts Blue ribbon
- Bonita Wrather, Film Blue ribbon
- Guy Williams, Television Blue ribbon
- Bo Boyd, Consumer Products
- Raymond Watson, Administration
Class of 2013
- Tony Baxter, Imagineering
- Collin Campbell, Imagineering Blue ribbon
- Dick Clark, Television Blue ribbon
- Billy Crystal, Film & Animation (voice)
- John Goodman, Film & Animation (voice)
- Steve Jobs, Animation Blue ribbon
- Glen Keane, Animation
- Ed Wynn, Film & Animation (voice) Blue ribbon
Class of 2015
- George Bodenheimer, Administration & Television
- Andreas Deja, Animations
- Johnny Depp, Film & Parks and Resorts
- Eyvind Earle, Animation Blue ribbon
- Danny Elfman, Music
- George Lucas, Film & Parks and Resorts
- Susan Lucci, Television
- Julie Reihm Casaletto, Parks and Resorts
- Carson Van Osten, Consumer Products
Class of 2017
- Carrie Fisher, Film Blue ribbon
- Clyde Geronimi, Animation Blue ribbon
- Whoopi Goldberg, Film & Television
- Manuel Gonzales, Animation Blue ribbon
- Mark Hamill, Film
- Wayne Jackson, Imagineering
- Jack Kirby, Publishing Blue ribbon
- Stan Lee, Film & Publishing
- Garry Marshall, Film & Television Blue ribbon
- Julie Taymor, Theatrical
- Oprah Winfrey, Film & Television
Class of 2019
- Christina Aguilera, Music & Television
- Wing T. Chao, Parks & Resorts
- Robert Downey Jr., Film
- James Earl Jones, Film
- Jon Favreau, Film
- Bette Midler, Film
- Kenny Ortega, Film & Television
- Barnette Ricci, Parks & Resorts
- Robin Roberts, Television
- Diane Sawyer, Television
- Ming-Na Wen, Film, Television & Animation—Voice
- Hans Zimmer, Music