Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson and Jonas Brothers Join Disney Legends Class of 2026
Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Bob Iger were among 11 honorees inducted as Disney Legends during the closing ceremony of D23 2026 in Anaheim.
The Disney Legends 2026 class officially welcomed Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bob Iger and six other honorees Sunday, August 16, as The Walt Disney Company closed D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California. The ceremony at the Honda Center marked the latest induction into what Disney describes as its highest honor.
Disney recognized 11 new Legends in total: Chris Berman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, Eric Goldberg, Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Tudyk. According to Disney’s official account of the ceremony, the honorees represent contributions across film, television, music, animation, sports, Disney Experiences and corporate leadership.
Disney Legends 2026 closes D23 with 11 new honorees
Ryan Seacrest hosted the ceremony, which combined career retrospectives with live performances, video tributes and appearances from collaborators associated with the honorees’ work.
Anne Hathaway was presented with her honor by The Devil Wears Prada 2 director David Frankel, with Anna Wintour appearing in a special video message. Hathaway’s relationship with Disney stretches back to The Princess Diaries, the 2001 film that helped establish her as a major screen presence.
Dwayne Johnson received his award from Emily Blunt, his co-star in Disney’s Jungle Cruise. Disney said Blunt reflected on Johnson’s impact as a modern movie star during the presentation.
The Jonas Brothers were introduced by Vanessa Hudgens, connecting the ceremony to an era when both acts became closely associated with Disney Channel. Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas built an early generation of their audience through Disney projects including the Camp Rock films and the television series Jonas.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tribute became a musical celebration
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s induction drew on a body of Disney work that includes Moana and Encanto. His segment featured a musical medley and appearances by performers including Auli’i Cravalho, Jordan Fisher and Nikki M. James. Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated film, presented Miranda with his award.
Alan Tudyk was recognized with a video highlighting a voice-acting résumé that includes characters from Frozen, Zootopia and other Disney productions. Ginnifer Goodwin presented his award.
Animator Eric Goldberg, whose Disney career includes his work on the Genie in Aladdin, received his honor from Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush. The Disneyland Band accompanied the tribute with a performance of “Friend Like Me.”
Broadway performer Susan Egan, the original Belle in Disney’s stage production of Beauty and the Beast, was celebrated with a performance featuring actors who later played the role. KATSEYE also performed during Egan’s tribute.
Bob Iger and Jerry Bruckheimer honored for decades of Disney influence
The class extended well beyond performers. Longtime Disney executive Bob Iger was introduced by Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, while figures including Robert Downey Jr., Harrison Ford, Diane Sawyer, Ellen Pompeo and Al Michaels participated in tributes recognizing Iger’s career.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, whose extensive Disney history includes the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, received his award from Orlando Bloom.
Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine was recognized for her work across Disney Parks, with Ming-Na Wen presenting her honor. Veteran ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman was celebrated through appearances from sports figures and broadcasters including Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Robin Roberts, before Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young presented his award.
The ceremony capped a major D23 weekend
The Legends ceremony served as the finale to three days of announcements and presentations across Disney’s businesses. Earlier in the weekend, the company used its D23 entertainment showcase to reveal new details about projects spanning Disney, Pixar, Marvel, television and streaming.
The weekend included first looks and announcements involving The Bluey Movie, Incredibles 3, the live-action Tangled, Lilo & Stitch 2 and the new Disney+ series Oswald, among other projects.
The Disney Legends 2026 ceremony ultimately shifted the focus from upcoming releases to the people behind decades of Disney storytelling. Samantha Barks closed the event with a performance of “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” before the new Legends gathered for a group photograph with Disney characters.
Disney said the ceremony will also be available to watch on Disney+.
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Malin Rasmussen
Malin Rasmussen is a flight attendant with a zest for travel, culinary adventures, and wine. When she’s not soaring through the skies, Malin enjoys attending concerts and exploring new destinations. Her love for cooking and fine wines adds a rich, flavorful touch to her life. As a contributor, Malin shares her unique experiences and passion for travel and gastronomy, bringing our readers a delightful mix of stories and insights
