Disney Names Bob Iger, Dwayne Johnson, Anne Hathaway as 2026 Legends Honorees

It was only days ago that Bob Iger officially stepped down as chairman and CEO of Disney, and the company has already moved to enshrine him. The Walt Disney Company announced its 2026 class of Disney Legends, a roster that includes former CEO Bob Iger, Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway and multi-hyphenate Dwayne Johnson.

The Disney Legends Award is the company's highest honor, a 39-year tradition that recognizes the individuals who have made a significant impact on the Disney legacy. Iger is one of 11 inductees into this year's class, a sort of Hall of Fame for The Walt Disney Company, which it has awarded to some 329 honorees over the past 39 years.

The induction of Iger marks a full-circle moment for the executive, who led the company through its most aggressive era of growth, including the high-profile acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. Incoming Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro framed the ceremony in sweeping terms. "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," D'Amaro said.

On the acting front, the honors go to Anne Hathaway, who famously got her start as Mia Thermopolis in "The Princess Diaries," and Dwayne Johnson, whose work spans from the voice of Maui in "Moana" to the live-action "Jungle Cruise." Johnson voiced the demigod Maui in Disney's Academy Award-nominated animated film Moana, then reprised the role in Moana 2, which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, and will reinvent the part for the highly anticipated live-action Moana, in theaters Summer 2026.

Joining them is Alan Tudyk, a staple of Disney Animation who has voiced a character in every one of the studio's films, starting with King Candy in "Wreck-It Ralph" in 2012. The class also leans into the voices behind Disney's musical identity. The Jonas Brothers were included for their contribution to Disney music, and Lin-Manuel Miranda for "groundbreaking songwriting for modern Disney favorites." Miranda wrote songs for both Moana and Encanto. Susan Egan, Broadway's original Belle and the voice of Megara in "Hercules," rounds out the performance honorees.

The honoree roster also spotlights the architects of Disney's blockbuster success, including producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who steered the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, and Eric Goldberg, the legendary animator who brought the Genie to life in "Aladdin." Chris Berman, the foundational voice of ESPN for over 40 years, is also among the honorees, selected for being among the first on-air talents when the network launched. Kim Irvine, recognized in the Imagineering category, completes the 11-member class.

The honorees will receive the company's highest honor at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Disney Legends ceremony closes out the weekend festivities with a star-studded ceremony at the conclusion of D23, which runs August 14 through 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Ryan Seacrest will host the induction ceremony, and for fans unable to make it to Anaheim, the event will stream on Disney+.

Each honoree receives a bronze sculpture and places their signature and handprints in cement at Disney Legends Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Past honorees include Julie Andrews, Harrison Ford, Whoopi Goldberg, George Lucas, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Robin Williams and Oprah Winfrey, among many others.