Actress Anne Hathaway, former company executive Bob Iger, and actor Dwayne Johnson were among 11 figures inducted into the Disney Legends pantheon on Sunday during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California.
Hosted by television presenter Ryan Seacrest, the gala ceremony recognized individuals who have shaped the history and legacy of The Walt Disney Company.
The Disney Legends award, established in 1987, is the highest honor bestowed by the entertainment conglomerate to acknowledge creative talents, corporate leaders, and performers. The biennial D23 expo serves as Disney's official fan convention, bringing together thousands of enthusiasts in Southern California.
Tributes to Anne Hathaway and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Hathaway received her award from director David Frankel, who directed her in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. The honor arrived more than two decades after her debut for Disney in the 2001 movie The Princess Diaries.
During the presentation, Frankel expressed gratitude for actress Meryl Streep, noting that Streep had praised Hathaway's performance in Brokeback Mountain. In her acceptance speech, Hathaway said she felt like one of the luckiest people in the world to pursue her passion while sharing life's joys with her husband and children, adding that simply being themselves brought her the greatest happiness.
Musician and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda was also inducted at the event, where his career contributions were celebrated with a special musical tribute performance highlighting his work for Disney.
Honors for Bob Iger and Dwayne Johnson
Former Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger was presented with his award by current Disney executive Josh D'Amaro, who praised Iger as one of the most impactful business leaders of the modern era.
Prominent figures including Robert Downey Jr., Diane Sawyer, Harrison Ford, Ellen Pompeo, and Al Michaels paid tribute to Iger's career. Pompeo addressed Iger directly during the ceremony, telling him that his integrity and kindness would forever remain his legacy.
Iger led The Walt Disney Company for more than two decades. During his tenure as chief executive, he oversaw major corporate acquisitions including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, while also directing the launch of the streaming platform Disney+ in 2019.
Actor Dwayne Johnson accepted his award from his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt. In an emotional speech, Johnson emphasized the importance of audience appreciation, concluding that while being important is nice, the most important thing is to be a nice person.
Jonas Brothers and Additional Honorees
Musicians Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas received their Disney Legends Award from fellow Disney Channel alumna Vanessa Hudgens. Nick Jonas addressed the audience on stage, expressing gratitude for the opportunity given to three brothers from New Jersey to live a life beyond imagination.
The pop group also joked on stage about Iger, stating that they consider him family and expressed hope that he views them the same way when planning his estate.
According to ABC News, the 2026 class of Disney Legends also included sports broadcaster Chris Berman, film producer Jerry Bruckheimer, actress Susan Egan, animator Eric Goldberg, Imagineer Kim Irvine, and actor Alan Tudyk.
