Bob Iger, Disney chairman and chief executive officer, delivers a speech at the Disney Legends awards ceremony of Disney fan event in Anaheim, the United States, Aug. 23, 2019. Disney held a grand awards ceremony in Anaheim, California, on Friday to honor 12 Disney stars and luminaries for their remarkable contributions to the Disney legacy. The Disney Legends awards ceremony is one of the highlights of the biennial ultimate Disney fan event, held from Aug. 23 to 25 in Anaheim. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
ANAHEIM, the United States, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Disney held a grand awards ceremony in Anaheim, California, on Friday to honor 12 Disney stars and luminaries for their remarkable contributions to the Disney legacy.
The 12 honorees are Wing Chao, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones, Bette Midler, Kenny Ortega, Barnette Ricci, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Ming-Na Wen, Hans Zimmer and Christina Aguilera.
Ming-Na Wen, a Chinese American actress born in Macau, was the voice of Mulan in the 1996 animated film and in subsequent video games, TV shows and movies, including the famous Disney princess scene in Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet.
"From the bottom of my Mulan heart, I am very grateful for everything Disney's done for my career. This is truly icing on the cake! PROOF that amazing things can happen," she said on Instagram. "If a little Chinese girl who immigrates to America with her family can become a Disney Legend, anything can happen! Feel very blessed."
"The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor we can bestow. It's a recognition of talent, a celebration of achievement, and an expression of profound gratitude to the remarkable men and women who have made an indelible mark on our company and our creative legacy," said Bob Iger, Disney chairman and chief executive officer.
"This year's honorees have earned a place in our hearts and our history for their significant contributions in film, television, and our theme parks around the world," he said.
Since 1987, the Walt Disney Company has honored a total of 290 Disney Legends including this year's honorees.
The Disney Legends awards ceremony is one of the highlights of the biennial ultimate Disney fan event, held from Aug. 23 to 25 in Anaheim.
The three-day event, called D23 Expo, attracted participants from 47 countries. More than 215 presentations, panels, concerts and demonstrations will take place during the Expo.
