Since we’ve been covering the D23 Expo, there has been controversy among fans about the recipients of the honor. Back in 2013, there was criticism over Steve Jobs’ selection, as well as John Goodman and Billy Crystal, and whether it was thinly-veiled PR for Monsters University. (With the benefit of hindsight, I think most fans would be fine with these selections, as well as pretty much anyone pre-2019.)
When George Lucas was named a Disney Legend in 2015, many fans wondered what the Star Wars creator had done to deserve to be named a Disney Legend, especially as he was out the door with the Lucasfilm acquisition. It was a similar story for Stan Lee and Jack Kirby the following D23 Expo; it took about a decade for fans to get used to the Walt Disney Company honoring those who had largely made their contributions to companies Disney had acquired, and done so pre-acquisition.
Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., and Jon Favreau were somewhat questionable picks at the time given that they were/are still active (not to mention RDJ’s checkered past). It was a similar story with everyone from Frozen who was picked in 2022. To my surprise, perhaps the most controversial pick ever was Miley Cyrus at the last Expo, and I’d agree if the sentiment was “she’s too young” to be awarded what should be (more or less) a lifetime achievement award, but it mostly wasn’t.
Over the years, I’ve become numb to the Disney Legends selections (here’s a full list by year, in case you’re curious). I used to care, or at least have an opinion on the recipients, who was and was not deserving, being snubbed, etc. But I’ve realized that it has become less about honoring the hard-working creatives who built the Walt Disney Company into what it is today, and more about a star-studded event that’ll put butts in the seats, draw viewers on the final day of the D23 Expo, and promote whatever Disney wants to promote.
There are still plenty of very deserving recipients, to be sure, and it’s fantastic to see them recognized. However, I no longer care to assess the “deservingness” of the field, because I realize that’s not entirely what it’s about. Instead, it’s like Disney’s version of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which are “awarded” and usually paid for as a promotional tool by the studios for projects, etc.
This brings us to Disney revealing the lineup of talent who will receive the prestigious Disney Legends Award, the company’s highest honor, during the final day of the D23 Expo taking place on August 14, 15, and 16, 2026, in Anaheim, California. Here’s the announcement from the Walt Disney Company, followed by our commentary about this year’s controversial choice:
2026 Class of Disney Legends
“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,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “It’s an honor to celebrate our Disney Legends — their impact is felt in everything we do and recognizing them alongside the fans who love their work is what makes this event so meaningful.”
Emmy-winning television host Ryan Seacrest will return as the host of the ceremony that will take place on Sunday, August 16, at 1:30 p.m. Pacific at the Honda Center. The event will be filled with tributes and unforgettable moments to honor and celebrate the icons behind the magic who have made a lasting impact on Disney. The ceremony will once again be available on Disney+, allowing fans around the world to experience the magic wherever they are.
The 2026 Disney Legends Award honorees represent the extraordinary breadth of talent and storytellers who have defined Disney across entertainment, storytelling, and experiences for generations. From performance and animation, to music and sports, to leadership and Imagineering, these honorees have shaped how audiences around the world connect with Disney stories.
During his two decades at the helm of The Walt Disney Company, former Chairman and CEO Bob Iger led Disney to unprecedented creative and business success, building on Disney’s rich history of unforgettable storytelling and serving as steward of the world’s most respected and beloved brands.
Susan Egan, Dwayne Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Alan Tudyk brought unforgettable characters to life on-screen and on-stage, lending their voices, performances, and star power to films, series, and musical moments that have become part of the cultural fabric.
From the Jonas Brothers shaping a generation of Disney music to Lin‑Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking songwriting for modern Disney favorites, alongside Eric Goldberg’s artistry and animation that brought beloved characters to life, these contributions have continually pushed Disney storytelling forward with innovation and heart.
Together, these creative forces are joined by visionaries whose impact extends beyond individual performances to the very foundation of Disney’s legacy and future. Jerry Bruckheimer’s prolific producing career has delivered cinematic spectacles that continue to define blockbuster storytelling, while Chris Berman’s pioneering voice and presence helped shape ESPN into a global sports and entertainment powerhouse.
Kim Irvine’s decades of leadership at Walt Disney Imagineering left an indelible mark on Disney parks and experiences, preserving heritage while championing creativity. Collectively, the 2026 Disney Legends Award honorees embody the creative excellence, bold vision, and enduring influence that continue to shape Disney’s past, present, and future.
The Disney Legends Awards program is a 39-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, which began when Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire) was honored in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 329 Disney Legends has been named.
Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Dame Julie Andrews, Angela Bassett, Tony Baxter, Kristen Bell, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Marc Davis, Robert Downey Jr., Harrison Ford, Annette Funicello, Josh Gad, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Groff, Steve Jobs, Sir Elton John, Dame Angela Lansbury, Stan Lee, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Burny Mattinson, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Ellen Pompeo, Robin Roberts, the Sherman Brothers, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, Betty White, John Williams, Robin Williams, and Oprah Winfrey, among many others.
Bob Iger is a Controversial Choice…But Shouldn’t Be!
The honoree from the 2026 Disney Legends class who is the most controversial choice is former CEO Bob Iger, who just left the position like 2 weeks ago. Technically, Iger has not yet retired, as he is still serving as Senior Advisor and a member of the Disney Board until his retirement from the company on December 31, 2026.
The first basis with which some fans disagree with Bob Iger being named a Disney Legend is that it’s just too soon. This perspective strikes me as fairly reasonable, as it was jarring to me for the longest time to see individuals who are still incredibly active with Disney being named Legends. Maybe a bit of a “cooling off” period and honoring Iger as part of a ‘homecoming’ in 2028 or 2030 would have more impact. Instead, this is more like, “aren’t you still around for a few more months?!”
The next reason for controversy is that some fans contend no one did more to damage Disney than Bob Iger. If you want to believe that, it’s obviously your prerogative. But c’mon, let’s be realistic. The company wouldn’t have kept Iger around for multiple decades, never mind brought him back to right the ship, if he weren’t highly valued internally. Bob Iger was always going to be named a Disney Legend at some point.
From my perspective, Iger is very obviously deserving of being named a Disney Legend. The acquisitions of Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel were masterful, strengthening the company’s portfolio of IPs and at a reasonable cost.
He also cleaned up a lot of the late Eisner-era missteps, fixing three different half-baked theme parks and making them worthy of the Disney name. His dealmaking prowess willed the best opening day park in decades into existence, and several of the best attractions in the parks came during Iger’s tenure.
Iger’s legacy is far from spotless. There were a lot of negative practices that began or accelerated under Iger, especially on the parks side. Fans will no doubt debate his decisions from around 2019 to today for decades to come. His accomplishments nevertheless warrant the Disney Legend honor.
While I would’ve waited until 2028 to honor Iger as a Disney Legend, it’s honestly wild to me that whether he’s “deserving” is even being debated. And really, it only really is among the very online. At the actual ceremony, he will almost assuredly receive the longest and loudest standing ovation from more mainstream fans.
Speaking of mixed legacies, perhaps the most interesting angle I’ve seen this decision called into question is fans arguing that, among former CEOs, Michael Eisner is more deserving than Bob Iger. Or at least, should’ve been named a Disney Legend first and that it’s ridiculous Eisner continues to be snubbed.
I don’t think we need to debate the worthiness of Iger vs. Eisner, but I would “concede” that Michael Eisner is more worthy than at least 95% of the individuals who have been named Disney Legends in the last two decades since Eisner left the company. Regardless of how you slice it, Eisner is highly deserving of Disney Legend status.
That doesn’t need to be addressed because, as a threshold matter, Michael Eisner almost certainly is not being snubbed in the first place. Some fans point to the inauspicious circumstances under which Eisner left as the reason for his ongoing (supposed) snubbing, but it’s worth noting that less than a year after he departed the company, Disney’s corporate headquarter building in Burbank, California was renamed to Team Disney – The Michael D. Eisner Building.
Eisner would not have had a building–the main building on the Burbank campus–renamed in his honor after he left if there were lingering bad blood. Only a small handful of legendary Disney leadership have buildings named after them; it’s a far more exclusive club than is Disney Legends award recipient.
Applying Occam’s razor, the simplest explanation for Michael Eisner not being named a Disney Legend is that Michael Eisner does not want the award. This is also why I would assume Tim Allen received the honor way back in 1999, but his toy counterpart, Tom Hanks, still hasn’t been recognized. It’s probably not a snub (especially given that Hanks has continued to work with Disney–including as Walt Disney!); it’s probably that Hanks has turned down the award.
Since leaving, Michael Eisner has largely distanced himself from Disney. While I have no clue as to the actual backstory with the Disney Legends award, I’m aware of Eisner being invited to other D23 and outside events, and Eisner declining on multiple occasions. He has apparently gotten closer to making a homecoming in recent the years, but nothing official.
That’s precisely why the recent interview he gave (see Michael Eisner on Disney World’s “Wild” Overpricing, Chapek “Marriage Made in Hell” & Iger Rejection) was so noteworthy–because aside from some stray tweets, he hasn’t opined on Disney much over the years.
In that interview, Eisner did offer this when asked the last time he’d been back to the Burbank HQ: “On the day I left. Not that I haven’t been invited. I’ve been invited. Once you sell your house, you move on.” While still not completely conclusive, that sentiment along with everything else suggests to me Eisner just doesn’t want the Disney Legends award.
Other fans have taken issue with the long goodbye being given to Iger and the whole “Thank You, Bob!” send-off. To them, this feels like an extension of this self-serving and ego-driven farewell. Even before this Disney Legends announcement, I’ve seen that sentiment some fans, most of whom probably harbor the “Bob Iger: Destroyer of Disney Worlds” viewpoint.
My perspective is that this sendoff is not being driven by Bob Iger, but rather, is likely an initiative by the new regime. My best guess is that honoring Bob Iger as a Disney Legend is a similar story. And my suspicion is that it’s calculated; a matter of self-interest.
Josh D’Amaro and his camp obviously saw what unfolded the last time Iger stepped down as CEO. While there is good reason to believe that “this time it’s different,” why not do everything in their power to insure it is? Chapek made so many unforced errors that some fans don’t recognize what savvy succession strategy looks like. That includes a fairytale farewell that makes it a little more difficult for Iger to keep one foot in the door and return.
Naming Bob Iger a Disney Legend is a nice tribute to the departing CEO and one I’m sure that he’ll appreciate (after all, he could’ve said “no” or “it’s too soon”). But it’s also one that is beneficial to the current regime in attempting to close one chapter of the Walt Disney Company’s story and start writing their own.
Who knows, maybe Michael Eisner has been declining the award all of these years because he’s still planning on staging a comeback, and sees blood in the water with this whole Bachelorette, Epic Games, and Sora drama. Buckle up, this year’s sequel to DisneyWar is going to be even wilder than the last one!
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OUR THOUGHTS
Thoughts on the list of Disney Legends being honored at the 2026 D23 Expo? Agree or disagree that Bob Iger shouldn’t be a controversial choice? Think the most logical explanation for Michael Eisner not being recognized as a Disney Legend is because he’s declined the award? What’s your opinion of the Eisner Era? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!