See What Celebrities We’ve Spotted at Disney’s Biggest Event of the Year

If you’re looking for Disney celebrities, D23 Expo is THE place to be this weekend!

Multiple celebrities will be making an appearance at the fan convention at various panels and just around the show floor. But at the start of the Expo, we got to see a whole bunch of BIG celebrities during the Disney Legends Ceremony!

For those who are unfamiliar with it, individuals who have made a big impact on the Disney Company, whether it’s in animation, parks, movies, etc. are sometimes recognized as Disney Legends. This is one of the highest honors that can be obtained within the Walt Disney Company, and the Legends are chosen by a special selection committee.

The Legends Ceremony kicked off this year with a special performance from some incredible Disney on Broadway performers. We’ve got chills!

The Disney Legends Ceremony has begun! And we were treated to an amazing performance from broadway actors to kick it all off! ✨ pic.twitter.com/tVcXLc1SFO

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

 

 

 

 

Then we got to hear from Disney CEO Bob Chapek about some of what’s to come for the Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration, and we learned about an Avengers Campus expansion and NEW ride, and a special gift coming to D23 Gold members.

Then it was time to get the Legends inducted and hear from the celebrities themselves.

First up, we got to hear from Ellen Pompeo, who many will recognize from her extensive work on Grey’s Anatomy.

Pompeo works to “confronts adversity and works for positive change both on and off the screen.”

Then it was time to honor Rob’t Coltrin from Walt Disney Imagineering. Coltrin had a hand in the creation of many attractions in the parks including Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Radiator Springs Racers, and much more! He retired from the company in 2019.

Then it was time to head back into Grey’s Anatomy land with the introduction of Patrick Dempsey as a Disney Legend.

Though some will recognize Dempsey from his work on Grey’s Anatomy, others may know him for his work on Sweet Home Alabama, Brother Bear 2, Enchanted, and the upcoming Disenchanted film.

Disney Legend, Patrick Dempsey, accepting his award with an emotional speech at #D23Expo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NSCOZUXOcW

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

But wait…there’s MORE! After Dempsey, we got to hear from Doris Hardoon. While you may not recognize her name, you will recognize her work. Hardoon joined Imagineering back in 1979 and has worked on Disney projects around the world for places like EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. She also provided creative direction with the creation of Shanghai Disney Resort.

Next up was Anthony Anderson, who many will recognize from his work in black-ish. 

Anderson has actually won seven NAACP Image Awards and earned seven Emmy and three Golden Globe nominations for his role in the show.

.@anthonyanderson is now a DISNEY LEGEND! Congratulations on the honor 👏 #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/Sw1ZKuM9vL

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

 

Keeping with the black-ish cast, the next person to become a Disney Legend was Tracee Ellis Ross. Ross served as a producer and director on the show and was nominated five times for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020 NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

.@TraceeEllisRoss, new Disney Legend, accepting her award at the #D23Expo! 👏 pic.twitter.com/rgUvJmuBZ0

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

Robert Price “Bob” Foster was the next individual honored at this ceremony. Foster passed away earlier in 2022. Accepting the award in his honor was his daughter. For those unfamiliar with Foster, he was actually selected (back in 1963) to head the land search for the “Florida Project.” Foster was largely responsible for hiding the fact that it was Disney behind these land purchases and he ultimately “acquired 43 square miles of land for what would eventually become the Walt Disney World Resort.”

After that, we heard a bit from Chris Montan. Montan worked as the vice president of music for motion pictures and TV for Disney and he oversaw the soundtracks for classic films like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and more.

He then oversaw the music for Disney and Pixar animated films, Disney stage productions, and more as President of Walt Disney Music.

Chris Montan, a Disney music icon, is now officially a Disney Legend! 🎶 #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/uu3TdiNeDr

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

Then it was time for a Frozen overload, as many stars who voiced the characters in the Frozen films got inducted into the Disney Legends group! First up was Jonathan Groff, who voiced Kristoff. But you may also recognize Groff from his work originating the role of King George III in Hamilton!

Our very own Kristoff, Jonathan Groff, is officially a Disney Legend!! Check him out at #D23Expo just now 🎉 pic.twitter.com/QHfcPhtpHC

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

Then it was Anna’s turn as Kristen Bell became a Disney Legend! Bell voiced Anna in Frozen but has also been involved in other Disney films. Did you know she voiced Priscilla the sloth in Zootopia?!

Queen Anna herself, @KristenBell!! We love seeing her accept her award as a Disney Legend at #D23Expo! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ecKRD2IdD9

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

If you’re looking to absolutely crack up though, it’s Josh Gad’s speech you’ll want to listen to. In true Josh Gad form, he had the audience laughing as he talked about being a Legend, peaking in his life, and early retirement. Gad is a Tony Award-nominated actor who voices Olaf in frozen but has also been involved in things like Murder on the Orient Express and much more.

In true @joshgad form, he gave a hilarious acceptance speech during the Disney Legend ceremony! Congrats Josh! 😂 #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/Y20chYoEiM

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

Rounding up the Frozen crew, Idina Menzel, the voice of Elsa, became a Disney Legend. She is an accomplished actor, singer, songwriter, and philanthropist, and has been involved in multiple projects including Enchanted, Disenchanted, and more.

The one and only @idinamenzel accepting her Disney Legend award with a joke and a story! Congrats Queen Elsa! ❄️ #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/HKNYxz2jde

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

Next up was Don Hahn, who unfortunately was not able to be present. Hahn worked on many animated films for Disney and even produced classic films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. He also worked on a multitude of other projects.

The final inductee was the late Chadwick Boseman. His brother accepted the award on his behalf. Many will recognize Boseman for his incredible work in Black Panther, but he also starred in Get on Up, Marshall, and many more, and ultimately won “the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture alongside the film’s ensemble” (for Black Panther).

And that’s a look at our Legends from this year. The ceremony wrapped up with a SURPRISE performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” by some of the cast of Encanto!

OMG! We were treated to a special surprise performance from the cast of Encanto at #D23Expo to wrap up the Disney Legends Ceremony! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/HyEovlkrjN

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 9, 2022

 

Talk about a star-studded event!

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This was just the beginning of the D23 Expo. There are many other panels and news to check out at the Expo and we’ll be covering it all for you. Stay tuned for more news!

Which of the legends from this year were you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!

Disclosure: We were invited by Disney to attend D23 Expo. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.

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