Walk through the Team Disney building in Burbank or wander the backlot at Disneyland, and you’ll eventually hit a wall of bronze plaques. These are the Disney Legends. Since 1987, the company has used this program to honor the animators, actors, and executives who didn't just work for the mouse but fundamentally shifted the culture of the Magic Kingdom. We’re talking about icons like Mary Blair, Howard Ashman, and even Robert Downey Jr. It’s a big deal.
But if you look closely at the roster, there are some glaring holes. Seriously.
When we talk about people who need to be Disney Legends, it isn't just a list of celebrities who once did a voiceover for a Pixar film. It’s about the architects of childhood. It’s about the people whose absence from the D23 ceremony feels like a genuine oversight. Why hasn't a certain puppet master or a specific legendary composer made the cut yet? Honestly, the criteria can feel a bit murky, but the fan demand is loud.
Let's get into the names that have been snubbed for far too long.
The Puppet Master: Frank Oz
It is actually wild that Frank Oz isn't a Disney Legend yet.
Think about it. Disney owns the Muppets. Disney owns Star Wars. Frank Oz is the DNA of both. He wasn't just "the guy who did the voice." He was Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Sam Eagle. More importantly for the Disney bottom line, he is the soul of Yoda. Every time you see a Yoda plushie at Galaxy’s Edge, you’re looking at a character Frank Oz breathed life into with his own hands.
Oz’s contribution to the parks is massive, too. Muppet-Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the last projects Jim Henson worked on before he passed, and Oz was right there. His direction and performance helped define the "Golden Age" of the Muppets that Disney eventually bought for billions.
Why the delay? Some speculate it’s a bit of a complicated relationship between Oz and the modern Muppets Studio, or perhaps just a scheduling thing. But it feels wrong. If Jim Henson is a Legend (he was inducted posthumously in 1991), his right-hand man should be right there next to him.
The Parks Pioneer: Joe Rohde
If you’ve ever stood under the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom or sipped a drink at the Nomad Lounge, you’ve experienced the brain of Joe Rohde.
For years, Rohde was the face of Walt Disney Imagineering. He’s the guy with the giant earring and the unmatched ability to talk about the intersection of anthropology and theme park design for three hours straight without taking a breath. He didn't just build rides; he built ecosystems.
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Why the Imagineering Category is Getting Crowded
The thing is, Imagineering is a competitive slot. Usually, Disney honors the "Old Guard"—the guys who worked with Walt. But Joe Rohde represents the modern era. He’s the guy who took the "educational" mandate of Animal Kingdom and made it cool. He then turned around and built Pandora: The World of Avatar, which is arguably the most technically impressive land Disney has ever created.
He retired from Imagineering in 2021. Usually, there’s a bit of a grace period before someone gets the plaque, but let’s be real: the man changed the skyline of Walt Disney World. He belongs on the list.
The Man Behind the Music: Michael Giacchino
We need to talk about Michael Giacchino.
Most people know him for his Oscar-winning score for Up or his work on The Incredibles. But his Disney resume is actually much deeper than just Pixar movies. Giacchino is the bridge between the old-school orchestral Disney sound and the modern era.
He wrote the music for Ratatouille, Coco, Zootopia, and the Doctor Strange films. But park fans? They know him for Space Mountain. When Disney refurbished the iconic coaster at Disneyland in 2005, Giacchino wrote the new soundtrack. He also did the music for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
Basically, if you’ve been to a Disney park or watched a Disney movie in the last twenty years, Michael Giacchino has been the one telling your heart how to feel. His omission from the list of people who need to be Disney Legends is starting to feel like a clerical error.
The Unsung Heroes of Animation: Musker and Clements
John Musker and Ron Clements. You might not know the names, but you definitely know the movies. These two are the reason the "Disney Renaissance" happened.
They directed The Little Mermaid. They directed Aladdin. They directed Hercules, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana.
That is a staggering run. Without them, Disney Animation might have shuttered in the late 80s. They proved that hand-drawn animation was still a powerhouse. Then, they proved they could pivot to CGI with Moana and still keep that classic storytelling soul.
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It’s actually confusing why they aren't Legends yet. Usually, directors of this caliber are shoo-ins. Maybe because they spent so much of their career in the "trenches" of the animation studio rather than the executive suites? Regardless, the Renaissance doesn't exist without John and Ron. Period.
The Star Power: Tom Hanks
This one feels like it should have happened a decade ago.
Tom Hanks is Woody. Woody is the face of Pixar. Pixar is the crown jewel of Disney.
Beyond Toy Story, Hanks has played Walt Disney himself in Saving Mr. Banks. He was Geppetto in the live-action Pinocchio. He’s been a consistent ambassador for the brand for thirty years.
Usually, the Disney Legends ceremony likes to have one "Big Name" to draw the cameras. They’ve done Johnny Depp, they’ve done Harrison Ford, they’ve done Miley Cyrus. It’s only a matter of time before Hanks gets the call. Honestly, he’s probably just too busy to show up to the ceremony, which is often a requirement for living inductees.
The Case for the "Niche" Legends
Sometimes, the people who need to be Disney Legends aren't the ones on the movie posters. They’re the people who make the parks run.
Take someone like Margret Kerry. She was the original reference model for Tinker Bell. Every flutter of Tink’s wings in the 1953 film was based on Margret’s movements on a soundstage. She’s in her 90s now and still attends fan events, greeting people with more energy than most teenagers. That kind of legacy is exactly what the award was designed for.
Then there’s the songwriters. Everyone knows the Sherman Brothers (they were among the first Legends). But what about someone like David Zippel? He wrote the lyrics for Hercules and Mulan. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is a permanent fixture in the Disney songbook. That's legacy.
What Actually Gets You Inducted?
It’s not just about tenure. It’s about "the magic." That sounds like corporate fluff, but there’s a grain of truth to it. To be a Disney Legend, your work usually has to hit three specific markers:
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- Innovation: Did you change how Disney does things? (Think Ub Iwerks or Glen Keane).
- Longevity: Is your work still being used or referenced 20 years later?
- Cultural Impact: If your name was removed, would the Disney brand look significantly different?
For people like Frank Oz or Joe Rohde, the answer to all three is a resounding yes.
The Controversy of Posthumous Awards
There is always a debate about whether the company should focus on living legends or those who have passed.
The backlog is long. Names like Don Bluth (who started at Disney before leaving to become their biggest rival, only to have his films eventually end up under the Disney umbrella via the Fox merger) are debated in fan circles constantly.
Then you have someone like Carrie Fisher. Mark Hamill is a Legend. Harrison Ford is a Legend. Why isn't our Princess? She contributed so much to the script-doctoring side of Hollywood and her role as Leia is foundational to the current Disney era of Star Wars. These are the kinds of omissions that make fans grumpy.
Actionable Steps for Disney Fans
If you care about who gets recognized, you actually have more "power" than you think. The selection committee at Disney does pay attention to fan sentiment, especially leading up to the biennial D23 Expo.
Research the history. Go beyond the credits. Look up the Imagineers who designed your favorite rides. Check out the "Archives" series on Disney+ which often highlights these individuals.
Engage with the D23 community. D23 is the official fan club, and they often solicit suggestions or run polls about favorite historical figures. While they don't have a public "voting" booth for the Legends, social media buzz around specific anniversaries (like the 30th anniversary of The Lion King or Toy Story) often pushes certain names to the top of the committee's list.
Support the work. Many of these potential legends have books, documentaries, or podcasts. Joe Rohde often shares incredible insights on his Instagram about design and culture. Frank Oz still talks about the craft of puppetry. Supporting their independent projects keeps their names relevant in the cultural conversation.
Visit the galleries. Next time you are at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or the Opera House in Disneyland, actually look at the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" pre-show or the "Walt Disney Presents" exhibit. Understanding who built the foundation makes it easier to advocate for their recognition.
The list of Disney Legends is never truly finished. It's a living document of a company that has spent a century trying to capture lightning in a bottle. As long as there are people pushing the boundaries of what a theme park or an animated film can be, there will always be a new batch of names waiting for their turn in the bronze. Right now, the fans are just waiting for the committee to catch up.