Walt Disney once said, “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” At the time he said it, he was talking about Disneyland. But the spirit of his observation is just as true of the animated short subjects and features, live action films, television programs, theatrical productions, cruise ships and the other theme parks that are all part of the Disney magic. In each case, the spark of an idea is brought to life by the inspired work of artists and craftspeople working together.
As Disney fans, we enjoy the results of these special collaborations every day. Whatever Disney moments you hold most dear, there is a specific person or team that made them happen. With that in mind, the Club (then called the National Fantasy Fan Club) created the Legend Awards in 1993.
The awards are, first and foremost, a way for members to say “thank you” to the people who have created the magic, and to let them know that their work is recognized and beloved. In addition, when the awards are presented members often hear the recipients talk about their work and careers. These conversations offer unique insight into Disney magic making. And, in many cases, they offer revealing glimpses of Walt Disney himself.
The recipients all are chosen because they have made a significant contribution to the Disney legacy. But the nature of those contributions varies widely. Collectively, the recipients have created beloved characters and given voice to princesses and our favorite pair of mice. They have brought tiki birds to life and costumed singing pirates. They have written Academy Award-winning songs and edited hundreds of hours of film into True Life Adventures. They have greeted millions of Guests in theme parks around the world and maintained the Disney standards of quality, cleanliness and service. The honorees include animators, Imagineers, voice talent, songwriters, actors, executives, a photographer and even a research economist. And their contributions span more than 90 years, from the early silent films produced by Walt Disney in Kansas City, Missouri, to the most recent films and theme park attractions.
To date, the Disneyana Fan Club has honored 153 people. Each has helped create lasting memories for Disney fans and their work continues to delight new generations of Disney fans. It is work that has stood the test of time. To fall under its spell requires only that we believe dreams do come true and that there are happy endings.
Click on the names below to read more about our Disneyana Fan Club's Disney Legends.
1993 Marc Davis
1993 Ollie Johnston 1993 Bill Justice 1993 Frank Thomas 1994 Wally Boag 1994 Bill Evans 1994 Blaine Gibson 1994 John Hench 1994 Wathel Rogers 1994 Richard M. Sherman 1994 Robert B. Sherman 1994 Betty Taylor 1995 Xavier "X" Atencio 1995 Rolly Crump 1995 Marvin A. Davis 1995 Ward Kimball 1995 Bill Martin 1995 Marty Sklar 1996 Buddy Baker 1996 Kathryn Beaumont 1996 Fulton Burley 1996 Peter Ellenshaw 1996 Van France 1996 Sam McKim 1996 Card Walker 1997 Milt Albright 1997 Charles Boyer 1997 Harriet Burns 1997 Alice Davis 1997 Ron Dominguez 1997 Bob Gurr 1997 Fred Joerger 1997 Tommy Kirk 1997 Jack Lindquist 1997 Cicely Rigdon 1997 Paul Winchell 1998 Bob Broughton 1998 Collin Campbell 1998 Joe Grant 1998 Irving Ludwig 1998 George McGinnis 1998 Bob Moore 1998 Bob Phelps 1998 Harrison "Buzz" Price 1998 Harry Tytle 1998 Ilene Woods 1998 Peter Behn 1998 June Foray 1998 Ken O'Connor 1999 Mary Costa 1999 Virginia Davis 1999 Roy E. Disney 1999 Don Edgren 1999 Don Iwerks |
1999 Norman "Stormy" Palmer
1999 Charles Ridgway 1999 Jack Speirs 2000 Dick Jones 2000 Volus Jones 2000 Dodie Roberts 2000 Ruthie Thompson 2001 Joyce Carlson 2001 Jim Cora 2001 Becky Fallberg 2001 Burny Mattinson 2001 Herb Ryman 2002 Dave Smith 2002 The Walt Disney Family Foundation 2003 Wayne Allwine 2003 Mary Blair 2003 Russi Taylor 2004 Tony Baxter 2005 Renie Bardeau 2005 Andreas Deja 2005 Orlando Ferrante 2006 George Britton 2006 Glenn W. Durflinger, Jr. 2006 Ahmad Jafari 2006 Ralph Kent 2006 Dick Kline 2006 Tom Nabbe 2006 Walt Peregoy 2007 Maggie Irvine Elliott and Jim Elliott 2007 Don Hahn 2007 Richard "Dick" Irvine 2007 Bob Matheison 2007 Bill "Sully" Sullivan 2008 Hank Dains 2008 Joe Hale 2008 Joe Rohde 2008 Jess Rubio 2008 Greta Verity 2008 Toshio Kagami 2008 Mary Anne Mang 2008 Phil Smith 2008 Masatomo Takahashi 2009 Tony Anselmo 2009 Frank Armitage 2009 Jodi Benson 2009 Bill Farmer 2009 Bruce Gordon 2009 Eric Jacobson 2009 David Mumford 2009 Paige O'Hara 2010 Eddie Carroll 2010 Mark Henn 2010 Wayne Jackson |
2010 Miriam Nelson
2011 Tim Considine 2011 Susan Egan 2011 Eric Goldberg 2011 Ron Miller 2011 Kevin Rafferty 2011 David Stollery 2012 Sherry Alberoni 2012 Roger Broggie 2012 Roger Broggie, Jr 2012 Ron Clements 2012 Tommy Cole 2012 Johnny Crawford 2012 Don Grady 2012 Glen Keane 2012 John Musker 2012 Doreen Tracey 2013 Howard Green 2013 Bruce Reitherman 2013 Wolfgang Reitherman 2013 Don "Ducky" Williams 2014 Nancy Abbate 2014 Bobby Burgess 2014 Lonnie Burr 2014 Karen Dotrice 2014 Floyd Norman 2014 Cubby O'Brien 2014 Karen Pendleton 2015 Jim Henson 2015 Joe Lanzisero 2015 Dick Nunis 2016 Garner Holt 2017 AJ Carothers 2017 Lesley Ann Warren 2017 Claude Coates 2017 Yale Gracey 2018 Mike Peraza 2018 Patty Peraza 2019 Howard Ashman 2019 Don Dorsey 2019 Randy Thornton 2020 Margaret Kerry 2022 Terri Hardin 2022 Oscar Martinez 2022 Karlos Siqueiros 2023 Jody Daily 2023 Kim Irvine 2023 Willie Ito 2023 Kevin Kidney 2023 Stacia Martin 2023 Jane Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer 2023 Leota "Lee" Toombs-Thomas 2024 Rebecca Cline |
The Disneyana Fan Club's
Heritage Award
Heritage Award
In 2010, the Club introduced the Disneyana Fan Club Disney Heritage Award. The award will honor individuals from outside the company who have in some significant way worked to preserve or promote Disney history. Award recipients may include preservationists, historians, curators and others who have
In presenting the award, the club’s goals are to express appreciation for the work being done, to help publicize the work and, when appropriate, to support (financially or otherwise) the work.
The award recipients are selected by the club’s awards committee in consultation with previous recipients, Disneyana Fan Club's Disney Legend Award honorees and others.
- Advocated for the preservation and/or restoration of buildings, artifacts or artwork that are prominent in the Disney story
- Written biographies, histories or analyses generally regarded to be accurate and that present Walt Disney and the Disney organization appropriately
- Organized events, celebrations or festivals that shine a spotlight on Disney history and/or introduce Disney’s history to younger generations
- Documented the creation or development of Disney films, theme park attractions and other accomplishments
- Worked to preserve and/or restore Disney short subjects, feature films and television programs or the artwork created for them or otherwise advanced the cause of preservation and promotion of Disney history.
In presenting the award, the club’s goals are to express appreciation for the work being done, to help publicize the work and, when appropriate, to support (financially or otherwise) the work.
The award recipients are selected by the club’s awards committee in consultation with previous recipients, Disneyana Fan Club's Disney Legend Award honorees and others.
The Disneyana Fan Club
President's Award
President's Award
An addition to the Disneyana Fan Club’s Legacy Program -- the President’s Award (to join the Legend and Heritage awards). This honor is given at the discretion of the Disneyana Fan Club’s president to recognize an individual’s contribution to both The Walt Disney Company and the Disneyana Fan Club, who does not fit into the other two award categories.
2012 Margaret Kerry
2014 Terri Hardin
2015 Robbie Sherman
2016 Alex Maher
2014 Terri Hardin
2015 Robbie Sherman
2016 Alex Maher