On September 20, Disneyland honored 18 individuals by awarding
them with the prestigious Disney Legend awards—for their imagination,
talents, and dreams that have become an integral part of creating and
contributing to the Disney magic.
Before the ceremony, many past honorees gather in the foyer of the Opera
House. From left to right: Jack Lindquist, Roy E. and Patty Disney, Ron
Dominguez. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Themed to Disneyland’s 50th anniversary, the event, held for the first
time in its Main Street Opera House, specifically acknowledged those who
contributed to the park. The inductees came from all areas, including
artistry, music, attractions, custodial, community service, administration
Imagineering, hotels, foods, and merchandise.
Family and friends fill every seat in the Opera House to witness the celebration.
Photo by Frank Anzalone.
The Disney Legends Program began in 1987 with the first inductee, Fred
MacMurray, and has since added 169 members. This year, 18 new names were
added to this grand list, who in total provided 541 years of service to
Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company:
- Chuck Abbott – attractions host
- Milt Albright – first Disneyland employee
- Hideo Amemiya – foods
- Chuck Boyajian – custodial
- Charles Boyer – artist
- Randy Bright – Imagineer
- James Cora – administration
- Robert Jani – entertainment
- Art Linkletter – television
- Mary Anne Mang – community relations
- Steve Martin – film
- Tom Nabbe – Disneyland and Walt Disney World cast member
- Jack Olsen – merchandise
- Cicely Rigdon – ambassador program
- William Sullivan – Disneyland and Walt Disney World cast member
- Vesey Walker – Disneyland bandleader
- Jack Wagner – the “voice” of Disneyland)
Marty Sklar, Disney Legend and president of Imagineering, officiates the
event. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Disney Legends are chosen by a select committee that consists of long-time
Disney executives, historians and authorities. Since its inception, many
gifted animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors and business leaders
have been among the special honored individuals. Each new Legend had the
opportunity to press their handprints into cement and have that placed
at the Disney Legends Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank…
as a reminder of the gifts of those people who know the secret of making
dreams come true.
Marty Sklar presents television personality Art Linkletter with the first
award. Mr. Linkletter was part of Walt’s team that originally dedicated
the grand opening of Disneyland in 1955. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Andrea Favilli created this award statues in 1987. They are cast in bronze
and handcrafted each year by the artist that characterizes the contribution
made by each talented recipient. The philosophy describing a “Disney
Legend” has three distinct elements that characterize the contributions
made by each talented recipient (and is represented in the awards statue):
- 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 idea.
The President of Disneyland, Matt Ouimet, also participates in introductions
and award presentations. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Hideo “Indian” Aramaki’s son accepts the award on behalf of
his father. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Hideo Aramaki came to Disneyland in 1964 and started as the chef at the
Tahitian Terrace. During his years with Disney, he trained many chefs
at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Tom Nabbe accepts the statue from Marty Sklar. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
It is said that Tom Nabbe only paid admission to Disneyland one day,
July 18, 1955… and has worked there ever since until June 2003. Tom
began his Disneyland employment hawking newspapers when he was 12 years
old… then became “Tom Sawyer” (and was on the cover of
Parade magazine in 1957 as “The Luckiest Boy in the World”).
Tom is a member of “Club 55,” the group of original cast members
named for Disneyland’s inaugural year (the chief qualification for membership:
a paycheck from Walt Disney dated 1955).
Cicely Rigdon began at Disneyland as a ticket seller and in 1959 joined
the tour department. In 1982, she developed the Ambassador Program for
Disneyland. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Milt Albright accepts his Disney Legend award. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Milt Albright has the distinction of being Disneyland’s first employee.
He began his career at the company in payroll department at the studios
and in 1953, decided to venture out and submit a design for an Autopia
ride vehicle to Walt. Walt was not impressed with the design, but was
very impressed with Milt and in Spring 1954, Milt was assigned to Manager
of Accounting for Disneyland. Of the many positions he held, he was promoted
to Manager of Guest Communications, a position he held until his retirement
in 1992. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
A Disney Legend himself, Wally Boag introduces his favorite comedian,
Steve Martin. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
When he was a young 15-year-old, Steve Martin used to go to the Golden
Horseshoe Review all the time (because it was free!) and watch Wally Boag
do his magic. It was the first live performer he had ever seen, and Steve
studied Wally’s humor and timing. Steve pays tribute to Wally as being
a huge influence in his life and his career. Seen here in this photo,
Wally had a hard time with the scripted teleprompter—he is just very
good at extemporaneous banter.
Steve Martin takes the podium. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
As Steve Martin went up to the podium, he said to Wally, “you can
leave now…” (said in good jest between good friends). Steve
began his Disneyland career at the age of 10, selling guidebooks at the
front gate. He spent three years at the magic shop on Main Street where
he sold and demonstrated magic tricks and practical jokes. Steve Martin’s
career spans many facets of the entertainment industry, from a stand up
comedian to a film star. His most recent film performance, as the host
of “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years”, can be seen at
the Opera House on Main Street, USA, Disneyland.
Entertainment cast members sing to the family and friends of the newly
inducted Disney Legends. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Art Linkletter and Steve Martin, just after placing their handprints in
cement, reminisce about their times at the Park. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Fifty years ago, Walt Disney had a dream that is now the “Happiest
Place on Earth”. It took thousands of dedicated cast members to not
only build that dream, but to keep it alive ever since. These honors are
well deserved and on behalf of every guest that has walked through the
turnstiles, we appreciate these tremendous efforts.
Not even the pouring rain of the day could put a damper on this celebration.
Here is the cement plaque of Steve Martin’s freshly pressed handprints
that will go into the Disney Legends Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios
in Burbank. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
Congratulations to the 2005 Disney Legends… those individuals whose
body of work has made a significant impact on the Disney Legacy!
