Chadwick Boseman, 'Frozen' stars, Ellen Pompeo honoured with Disney Legends Awards

"Black Panr" star Chwick Boseman, "Frozen" team -- Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh G -- as well as "Grey's Anatomy" actors Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey were houred with Disney Legends Award at D23 Expo.

Disney's D23 Expo kick started on Friday.

Disney Legends Award is given to an individual who has me an extraordinary contribution to Disney legacy.

Boseman, star of Marvel Studios' "Black Panr" franchise, was houred with award posthumously. His bror Derrick Boseman accepted trophy on behalf of him.

"I wish that he was here to receive this hour... fact that he has t been here has been a point of immense pain for my own family. But I think about how he houred our parents, his family, his friends and all contracts that he signed except last one.

"When he houred m with his blood in sweat. He played se roles, and was taking chemo, at same time. Some of se roles h him doing things that were physical. He was so strong that even six days before he died he houred promise he me to his partner and married her," Derrick said in acceptance speech.

Boseman died in August 2020 following a secret battle with colon cancer.

Disney Legends Award ceremony, which took place at Anaheim convention centre here, was hosted by famous television personality Tamron Hall. Bob Chapek, CEO Disney, presented trophy to hourees.

"It is 35th anniversary of Disney Legends and we are houred today to present award to this year's legends and we are houred becuse we have several past Disney Legends that are here for ceremony," Chapek said.

Or hourees were Robert Price "Bob" Foster, Don Hahn, Doris Hardoon, Chris Montan, Rob't Coltrin, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Groff, best kwn for playing ice harvester Kristoff in "Frozen" movies and Holden Ford on "Mindhunter", said as a young gay boy growing up in early 1990s, Disney VHS tapes were his primary source of express and expression.

"I dressed up as Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland as Cinderella. And one Halloween when I was 3-years-old, I dressed up as Mary Poppins. Actually have a home video of my grandparents that Halloween, calling me Mary without any sense of irony," he quipped.

"It is a complete dream come true and it is such an hour to be on this illustrious list of Disney Legends... I want to thank my mom for letting me dress up as whoever I wanted to dress up and always fanning flame of my creativity," he said, ding that he is also grateful to "Frozen" directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee for creating a where young boys can put on ir Anna and Elsa dresses and sing and express mselves.

winners received a two feet-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies imagination, creativity and magic y have brought to company. recipients also participated in a handprint ceremony following event.

ir bronzed prints will be displayed in Disney Legends Plaza at Company's Burbank hequarters.

Disney Legends Awards began in 1987 with Fred MacMurray becoming first recipient. Till w, including this year's hourees, 304 artists have been named Disney Legends.

list includes Tim Allen, Julie Andrews, Robert Downey Jr, Annette Funicello, Whoopi Goldberg, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Robin Roberts, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, Ming-Na Wen, Betty White and Robin Williams.

Im: AP