So I am huge Disney fan - especially Disney history. The current Disney company is typical of most the corporate world today. Some good mixed with a bunch of greed (and plastic politically correct mumbo-jumbo).
I am also a fan of halls of fame, NFL, Basketball, MLB, even the Toy Hall of fame in Rochester, New York. the Disney Studios has their own Hall of Fame of sorts - the Disney Legends Award. There are many great Disney employees and stars who have been honored with this award. they include animators, actors, voice talent, executives, imagineers, composers and family.
According to the D23 website -
The Legends are chosen by a selection committee, formerly appointed and chaired by the late Roy E. Disney. Since its inception, the program has honored many gifted animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors, and business leaders as having made a significant impact on the Disney legacy.
On October 16, 1998, the new Disney Legends Plaza was dedicated at The Walt Disney Studios to commemorate the 75th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. The Plaza features a second edition of the bronze sculpture first placed in Disneyland Paris, with bronze plaques representing the individual Legends lining the columns of the Plaza.
The Disney Legends award has three distinct elements that characterize the contributions made by each talented recipient.
The Spiral—stands for imagination, the power of an idea. The Hand—holds the gifts of skill, discipline and craftsmanship. The Wand and the Star—represent magic: the spark that is ignited when imagination and skill combine to create a new dream.
There have been many worthy "inductees" into this ring of honor, but there are some who have not received this honor yet, and perhaps they need to be looked at again. That is what this blog is about. Who do I think needs to get the Legend moniker? I will tell you my top choices, and then we will explore others who may get the nod one day. Also - who are your choices? Who do you think should be named a Disney Legend? I would love to hear your respectful comments and opinions.
Great list!....One more I would suggest is Joe Flynn: major part of the 1960s and 1970s Disney comedies, including his role as Dean Higgins in the Medfield College trilogy.
ReplyDeleteHe is on my list to add soon!
DeleteHarrison Ellenshaw
ReplyDeleteHe is coming soon!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather was Ralph Wright.
ReplyDeleteHe innovative story and is credited with the running gag instructional series that kicked off Goofy's success. He wrote and directed many of Disney's classic cartoons over a 30 year career, friends with Bill Peet and was the voice of Eeyore in the Original Winnie the Pooh cartoons. He and a team adapted Sleeping Beauty.
We would love to see his hard work and legacy honored.
Michael Swofford deserves to be recognized as an innovative animator.
ReplyDelete