By Zach Johnson Becoming a Disney Legend the same year as his collaborator and friend Jon Favreau makes the recognition even more meaningful for Robert Downey Jr., who launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with his inimitable turn as Tony Stark in Iron Man. “We thought we’d arrived when the Paramount folks brought us to …
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By Beth Deitchman Multi-award-winning director, choreographer, and producer Kenny Ortega literally can’t remember a time when Disney wasn’t part of his life—whether he was falling asleep in a room where Disney characters covered the walls, courtesy of his father, a gifted artist himself; thrilling to the latest adventures of Spin and Marty on the Mickey …
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By Jeffrey Epstein From 1986 until 1993, Bette Midler worked on a staggering 10 projects for Disney. From her hilarious turns in Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, and Outrageous Fortune to her heartbreaking role in Beaches, her animated debut in Oliver & Company, and her iconic performance in Hocus Pocus, the Divine …
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By Zach Johnson “I am deeply honored and so very proud to be named a Disney Legend,” says Barnette Ricci, one of 12 remarkable people who were inducted August 23 at D23 Expo 2019. “And this is going to be especially exciting for me because I used to direct the Disney Legends ceremonies!” Ricci actually …
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Kenny Ortega grew up in a household filled with music and dance, so it was natural for him to turn to musical theatre and film for a career. “When I was a little boy, I remember watching my mother and father dance in the living room. They would jitterbug and mambo. Before we had TV, …
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Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Bette Midler was 12 when she saw her first stage show, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, recalling, “I couldn’t get over how beautiful it was. I fell so in love with it. Everything else in my life receded once I discovered theatre.” Bette moved to New York in 1965. Within …
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With an art house filmmaker father and a writer and actress mother, Robert Downey Jr. was born to make his mark on the silver screen. Growing up in New York City, London, Santa Monica, and Greenwich Village, among others—wherever his parents were working—he recalled, “I was raised by a black-and-white RCA TV. Rod Serling. Bill …
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Born in Germany, composer Hans Zimmer has scored more than 160 projects which, combined, have grossed more than $28 billion worldwide. Hans has been honored with an Academy Award® , two Golden Globes®, three Grammys®, an American Music Award, and a Tony Award®. Hans first gained fame as a member of the pop music group …
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Serving her country is in Robin Roberts’ blood. Her mother was Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts, the first African American to lead Mississippi’s Board of Education. Her father, Lawrence Roberts, served in World War II as a pilot with the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators. Today, Robin Roberts serves her country and makes …
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In 1967, as a member of a touring singing group called “The Young Americans,” a talented California singer and dancer named Barnette Ricci helped Bob Hope kick off the 1967 United Crusade supporting the United Way and American Red Cross. Soon thereafter, Barnette joined The Walt Disney Company as a Disneyland Cast Member, and, in …
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