Harrison Ford took home a Disney Legends award at the D23 Expo on August 11th, delivering an emotional speech expressing his gratitude for receiving the prize.
The Disney Legends Award was created in 1987 to celebrate actors, animators, musicians, and other creatives who have contributed to the magic of Disney. Previous recipients of the award include Elton John, Randy Newman and Carrie Fisher.
Ford has starred in several franchises created and owned by George Lucas’ production company, Lucasfilm, which has been parented by Disney since 2012. He fronted the Indiana Jones series as the titular archaeologist and adventurer and starred as Han Solo, one of the core trio in the original Star Wars trilogy. Next year, he is set to join another of Disney’s biggest franchises, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a role in Captain America: Brave New World.
On Sunday, August 11th, at the D23 event in California, Ford accepted the Disney Legends award for his contributions to the company. Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, presented the actor with the honour, noting his impressive journey from hopeful actor to Hollywood star.
“Before he was the captain of the Millennium Falcon or a globetrotting archaeologist,” Iger began, “Harrison Ford was, like so many, an aspiring actor who came to Hollywood to pursue their dreams.”
Ford then delivered a speech reflecting on finding his place in the industry, as well as how thankful he is for the collaborators who helped him to obtain it.
“I love the life you’ve given me,” he shared, “I love the people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with.” Ford also described it as a “privilege” to work in storytelling, stating, “The stories are for you, about you, about us.”
The actor went on to thank Iger more specifically, acknowledging the impact the CEO has had on him both in a “creative and business capacity.”
Other recipients of the Disney Legends awards in 2024 include actor Jamie Lee Curtis, director James Cameron, and composer John Williams. The latter has contributed scores to several franchises led by Ford, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Frank Oz, who has voiced the beloved Yoda in the Star Wars series since 1980, also took home an award.
Ford is the final member of the original Star Wars trio to receive the honour from Disney. Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, who starred alongside him as Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, respectively, both received their Disney Legends awards back in 2017.
