Angela Bassett, Kelly Ripa, James Cameron and More Honored as Disney Legends at D23

As a cinephile with decades of film-viewing experience under my belt, I must say that Disney’s Legends ceremony was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The caliber of talent and accomplishments honored at this event was truly humbling.


Attending Disney’s grand Legendary Awards at Anaheim’s Honda Center on Sunday night, amidst the culmination of the D23 Expo, was an unforgettable experience. The event drew a star-studded crowd, making it a truly memorable occasion at the Mouse House.

Disney’s Legends award ceremony serves as a prestigious hall of honor for those who’ve left a lasting impression on Disney’s heritage. Notable recipients include Christina Aguilera, Stan Lee, Betty White, and Oprah Winfrey.

Angela Bassett has been honored for three decades of collaboration with Disney. This includes her part in Touchstone’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” the narration of National Geographic’s “The Flood,” and the Disney+ documentary series “The Imagineering Story.” More recently, she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Director Ryan Coogler, who worked on “Black Panther”, shared that Angela Bassett had inspired him since his childhood. He went on to express that witnessing her talents was a blessing, adding that she played a pivotal role in guiding the cast after the unfortunate passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman. Coogler concluded by praising Bassett, saying she has been incredible for many years.

In the very beginning of my acting career, I’ve always recognized that I’m a piece in a larger puzzle. To everyone who has stood by me throughout this incredible journey, I extend my heartfelt thanks. I am incredibly grateful for your support. Moreover, I take immense pride in being your wife, mother, sister, and auntie – roles that have enriched my life beyond measure.

James Cameron, the director of “Titanic”, was among those honored for his contributions to the “Avatar” movie series, which he’s still working on for its third installment, with a fourth and fifth already in development. He’s also known for his collaborations with National Geographic, such as the Emmy-winning “Secrets of the Whales” and the Emmy-nominated “Secrets of the Elephants”. Additionally, he serves as executive producer for the upcoming OceanXplorers series, scheduled to air in fall 2024 on National Geographic.

In a heartfelt video message, I, Kate Winslet, expressed my admiration for Jim Cameron’s unparalleled ambition, remarking that it seems he alone reaches for the stars and beyond. The extraordinary power of his creative imagination continues to leave us all in awe. It was an honor to introduce Zoe Saldana, who presented Cameron with his well-deserved award.

As a grateful actor, I’m deeply appreciative of the job stability you’ve provided me, a director. By the time the final ‘Avatar’ film hits the screens, I’ll be enjoying my pension! Working alongside you has been an exhilarating journey. Your fervor, your commitment, and your knack for precision are simply incomparable. Yet, beyond all that, I want to express gratitude for the laughter, tears, and moments of melancholy you’ve given me.

In Cameron’s speech, he emphasized that as a filmmaker, he doesn’t work alone; success depends on the talented individuals he can assemble. He explained that his daily responsibility is to motivate and support these artists, whether they are actors, designers, concept artists, computer animators, and so forth. His goal is to stimulate them to deliver their best creative efforts each day.

Besides taking a pause to pay tribute, Cameron acknowledged their long-term producing partner, John Landau, who recently passed away. “There’s one individual that resonates profoundly in my thoughts at this moment as I stand here, and that’s my collaborator of three decades, John Landau,” he said. “The entire ‘Avatar’ family deeply mourns his absence. Our mission is to preserve his legacy, just as he remains an unacknowledged Disney Legend.”

During that night’s event, Disney Legend awards host Ryan Seacrest honored his longtime colleague Kelly Ripa. In his speech, he praised her as an exceptional storyteller, stating, “There isn’t anyone better than Kelly Ripa at this craft.” He further acknowledged her ability to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

As a movie critic looking back, I’ve witnessed the impressive journey of Ripa from the small screen to the morning television limelight. She first dipped her toes into acting on the soap opera “All My Children” and the sitcom “Hope & Faith.” However, it is her long-standing presence as a co-host on ABC’s “Live,” since 2001, that has truly solidified her fame in the world of entertainment.

Ripa playfully nudged Seacrest, “Ryan, my heartfelt gratitude runs deep. It’s just wonderful that we’ve finally found another project for you to helm.” She continued with some humorous comments, expressing her appreciation towards her husband Mark Conseulos, saying, “We met on the set of ‘All My Children’ three decades ago, and since then, we’ve secretly produced our three little ones in the hidden corners of Disney studios. I’m joking! We had them in our dressing rooms. Oh, I’m joking again. I’m joking again – HR has reminded me to clarify.”

Cameron Bassett, along with Cameron Ripa and others, was celebrated alongside other Disney Legend honorees such as Jamie Lee Curtis, James L. Brooks, Harrison Ford, Frank Oz, John Williams, Miley Cyrus, costume designer Colleen Atwood, Disney Parks employee Martha Blanding, Marvel comic artist Steve Ditko, animator Mark Henn, and imagineer Joe Rohde. In simpler terms, these individuals were recognized as part of an esteemed group by Disney.

Additionally noteworthy moments at the event were the introductions by Lindsay Lohan and Jodie Foster for Curtis, Miley Cyrus’ heartfelt letter dedicated to “Hannah Montana”, and a moving acceptance speech from Ford.

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2024-08-12 06:17