2004 Disney Legends Ceremony
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Tim Conway
Tim Conway (Film) regularly participated in Disney Productions. such as “The World‘s Greatest Athlete“, “ The Apple Dumpling Gang�?, “The Shaggy D.A.�?, “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again“, “Gus“, and “Air Bud: Golden Retriever“. On the small screen his Disney credits include Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus. Carol & Company, The Proud Family and more. Tim appeared as a regular on the Steve Allen television series, as well as on McHale’s Navy, another popular TV show. Other series included Rango, The Tim Conway Show, ant The Tim Conway Comedy Hour. Perhaps he is best remembered as a regular on The Carol Burnett Show. During his career, he received five Emmys and continues to delight audiences today on screen, television and in video. As Tim accepted his award, he continued with a stand up comic routine, which had the audience in stitches. As a small taste of the routine, Tim said “It’s interesting when you come to Disney, you get a script, go to wardrobe and then you meet your animal.�?
Leonard Goldenson's daughters Lorene and Maxine
Michael Eisner then went to the podium to introduce the final Disney Legend, who had touched him personally, Leonard Goldenson (Television). Leonard was the Founder and former Chairman of the Board of the American Broadcasting Company Inc. (ABC, Inc). Michael described him “as a true visionary, who changed the world of entertainment. In the 1950‘s he partnered with another visionary, Walt Disney, Television and theme park history was made.�? Walt Disney, seeking capitol to build Disneyland, had been turned down by every network, studio and bank. Walt and Leonard struck a deal. In exchange for a share of the financing, the Studio provided ABC with “The Wonderful World of Disney, a weekly TV series and access to its animated film library. Michael said that “I was privileged to work with Leonard during my years at ABC in the 60’s and 70’s. I can tell you personally what a dynamic, inspirational and remarkably unassuming man he was. If it were not for Leonard, Disneyland might never have been built. This company would not have become what it is today. Leonard died December of 1999.�? Accepting the award for him were his daughters, Lorene and Maxine.
Michael Eisner said that the first movie he saw with Jane, who later became his wife, was the film “Mary Poppins�? The two little kids in the movie were Jane and Michael and as they left the theatre, they said we think this must be destiny. He said that a new theatre performance of “Mary Poppins�? is just killing them in Bristol, England and will be going onto London for a year and then onto Broadway.
The ceremony closed with a song “Legendary You.�? Then the new Legends imprinted their hands and signatures in cement to later be cast in bronze and placed on the pillars that surround the Legend Plaza. In previous years the Legends Luncheon for the Legends and their guests was held in the Rotunda Dining Room in Team Disney Building. However this year as the family and friends of the Legends exceeded the capacity of the Rotunda, the Legends Luncheon was held instead in the Frank G. Wells Building, in a room on the first floor, which was decorated with carousel horses and individual chocolate teacups at each place. The theme of “Mary Poppins�?, which celebrated its fortieth anniversary this year, was carried out by the visitation of the character Mary Poppins along with two charming penguins, who were happy to pose for pictures with the guests and visited each table. After the Luncheon recent Legends visited with previous Legends, who have been friends and colleagues for many years. No one wanted the magical Disney day to end!
Discuss It!
-- Posted September 29, 2004
-- Story by Scarlett Stahl
-- Pictures by Benji Breitbart, Scarlett Stahl and Bob Gurr