Established in 1987, the Disney Legends program recognizes men and women who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company. The honor is awarded annually during a special ceremony.
Recipients are chosen by a selection committee appointed and chaired by Disney Legend Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney's nephew and Director Emeritus of The Walt Disney Company. The committee consists of long-time Disney executives, historians and other authorities.
Disney's corporate headquarters in Burbank, California features a plaza honoring the recipients outside Team Disney - The Roy O. Disney Building. Each honoree is represented by a bronze plaque; the plaque features the recipient's handprints and signature if they were living when named a Disney Legend.
Artist Andrea Favilli created the Disney Legends award, which is handcrafted from bronze each year. The award depicts the arm of Mickey Mouse holding a star-tipped wand.
Disney describes the award as follows:
When Disney opened up their hall of fame, all the then major Hollywood studios considered opening up their own hall of fames, but (as of 2008) Disney remains the only major Hollywood studio to have one.
