The 2026 Disney Legends

The Walt Disney Company has officially pulled back the curtain on the Disney Legends Class of 2026. This year’s roster is a powerhouse of nostalgia, technical brilliance, and leadership, representing the pillars of Animation, Imagineering, Film, and—for the first time in a significant way—the massive expansion of the Disney empire through sports and streaming.

These eleven honorees will be inducted during the grand finale of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Sunday, August 16, at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Here is a look at the icons joining the hall of fame.

The Visionaries & Storytellers

Kim Irvine (Imagineering)

As a second-generation Imagineer (daughter of Legend Leota Toombs), Kim has spent over 50 years preserving the "soul" of Disneyland. Her work in concept design and color styling for nearly every major Disneyland project is well known and famously being the current "face" of Madame Leota (continuing the work of her mom Leota) in the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay has cemented her legacy in Disney. 

Kim’s work and long career has essentially led to her being perhaps the “unofficial” guardian of Walt’s original park. Her meticulous eye for detail ensures that as the parks evolve, they never lose the specific magic that makes them feel like home.

Eric Goldberg (Animation)

Eric is a master of "squash and stretch," responsible for some of the most expressive characters in the history of the medium (and not to mention Matt’s FAVORITE Disney character! As the lead animator for beloved characters such as:  Genie (Aladdin), Phil (Hercules), and Louis (The Princess and the Frog) his work has all but “stolen the show” in beloved Disney films when not necessarily working on the “main” character. 

Eric bridged the gap between the "Nine Old Men" era and modern animation, proving that hand-drawn character acting could be just as high-energy and hilarious as any live-action performance. And let’s be honest, I’m sure many of us Disney fans would love to see a return to this even more!

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Film & Music)

How else can you define Lin-Manuel than the man who redefined the modern Disney songbook. As the songwriter for massive hits like Moana, Encanto, and the live-action The Little Mermaid; It’s undeniable that he has found a way to capture that Disney magic in works. While he may still have a ways to go - it’s not unfair to compare him to the likes of other musical Disney legends such as the Sherman Brothers (again he needs more on the resume, but his talent can’t be questioned). Aside from working behind the scenes, Lin-Manuel has also starred in front of the camera as a star of Mary Poppins Returns. And that’s without even mentioned being the mastermind behind the play Hamilton (on Disney+)!

From the global phenomenon of "We Don't Talk About Bruno" to the soaring "How Far I'll Go," Miranda’s unique blend of hip-hop and traditional Broadway has revitalized Disney’s musical legacy for a new generation.

The Screen Icons

Anne Hathaway (Film) 

It’s undeniable that Anne Hathaway is a force within Hollywood and while her resume with Disney itself may not be as long as others, her work with Disney is mighty popular, specifically in The Princess Diaries franchise. Anne has also been part of a popular, classic Alice in Wonderland.

Her portrayal of Mia Thermopolis turned a simple coming-of-age story into a cornerstone of Disney live-action history, proving she could carry the mantle of a "Disney Princess" with humor and modern relatability.

Dwayne Johnson (Film & Voice) 

"The Rock" has become one of the most bankable and beloved figures in the Disney family. His roles with the company include: Maui in Moana (both animated films and the upcoming live-action), Frank in Jungle Cruise, The Game Plan, and the upcoming Monster Jam film. 

Johnson brings a larger-than-life charisma to everything he touches. His performance as Maui created an instant classic, and his dedication to the Jungle Cruise helped transition a classic park attraction into a fun (and might we humbly say underrated) film. Dwayne is also a legitimate Disney fan - I mean how else do you convince an A-list star to appear on Disney channel shows like Wizards of Waverly place and others!

Susan Egan (Voice & Stage) 

A rare talent who has conquered both the Broadway stage and the recording booth. While she may be better known as the voice of Megara in Hercules, her impact on Disney goes beyond voicing a popular character as her talents were also on full display for Disney Broadway’s production of Beauty and the Best where she was the original Belle!

Egan provided the blueprint for the "modern" Disney heroine—intelligent, sharp-witted, and possessing a world-class voice. She remains a vital link between the parks, the stage, and the screen. Susan has recently been taking on more of the Disney ambassador-type role (think O’Hara and Benson) being named the godmother of the Disney Destiny ship and more!

Alan Tudyk (Voice) 

This guy is EVERYWHERE, and rightfully so! Just to name a FEW of his voice credits, Alan was: King Candy (Wreck-It Ralph), Heihei (Moana), K-2SO (Rogue One), and Valentino (Wish). 

Tudyk has voiced a character in every Disney Animation feature since 2012. His versatility is unmatched, moving seamlessly from terrifying villains to a chicken that steals the show with a single squawk. While he may not be the “main character” in the films he voices, he characters always become the fan-favorite! Is it time for him to headline a project? We think so!

The Jonas Brothers (Music & Television) 

Nick, Joe, and Kevin were the faces of a Disney Channel golden era. With Popular franchises such as the Camp Rock films, Jonas series, and their 2025 return in A Very Jonas Christmas, the Jonas brothers have had a lasting relationship with Disney from the time they were kids. 

They weren't just a band; they were a cultural movement. Their influence helped define the "Disney Star" model and paved the way for the modern synergy between Disney’s music and television divisions.

The Empire Architects 

Jerry Bruckheimer (Film) 

The producer who brought "The Blockbuster" to the House of Mouse. While Bruckheimer doesn’t need to rely on his Disney projects to solidify his status as one of the most influential producers in Hollywood’s history, those project definitely help! As the producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and National Treasure films, Jerry’s works have bridged the gap between Disney-family (kid-friendly) films to family films adults can enjoy on their own. 

Bruckheimer took a theme park ride and turned it into one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time. He proved that Disney could excel in high-stakes, epic adventure and forever changed the types of films Disney was willing to create. 

Chris Berman (Sports & Television) 

A long-time part of the Disney company that is still major part of Disney’s hold on entertainment industry and becoming even more of a major focus for the company today, ESPN brings sports to the Disney arena. 

One of (if not THE) face of Disney and sports, Chris has literally been with ESPN since the beginning. With decades of legendary broadcasting for ESPN, including NFL PrimeTime and Sports Center, Berman is a pioneer of sports television. Since Disney’s acquisition of ABC/ESPN, he has been the voice of the company’s sports wing, bringing a unique personality and "boom" to the airwaves for nearly 50 years. 

Bob Iger (Leadership)

The former CEO who transformed Disney from a traditional studio into a global behemoth.

No one can deny Iger has had an unmistakable impact on the disney company forever shaping its current status within the entertainment industry and its future. Iger spearheaded the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, and oversaw the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. He brought even more Disney into our homes with the creation and implementation of Disney+ further cementing Disney into all of our daily lives. 

Iger’s tenure defined the 21st-century Disney experience. By bringing the world’s biggest stories under one roof, he ensured the brand's relevance for decades to come.

This 2026 class is a beautiful reminder that a Disney Legend isn't just someone who works for a company—it’s someone who builds a world we never want to leave. If you want to watch as these Disney Legends are officially welcomed into this honorary group  you can tune in on Disney+ this August!

To hear even more what we (and the Ohana) think about this year's inductees be sure to check out episode 113 of the Married to A Disney Addict podcast! We take a deeper look at each of the legends, debate if they deserve the honor, and even chat about people we’d like to see eventually receive the award. 

We also want to know what YOU think of this year's class? Is there someone you feel was snubbed?

Thanks for reading along and as always… See Ya Real Soon!