Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has officially added another major honor to his already impressive résumé, becoming a Disney Legend.
For the first time ever, a WWE Superstar was honored during the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony. On Sunday, August 16, 2026, Johnson was one of the new Disney Legends. He was recognized during the ceremony at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Disney describes the awards as an “unforgettable ceremony [that] features heartfelt tributes, surprise moments, and inspiring stories.”
Let’s be real, fans either know Johnson for his work as a wrestler on TV in the ’90s or for starring as Maui in the animated “Moana” (2016) and ”Moana 2” (2024). And eventually the live-action “Moana” (2026).
He’s also appeared in “The Game Plan” (2007) and “Race to Witch Mountain” (2009). He had a cameo in “You Again” (2010) and starred in “Jungle Cruise” (2021). Plus he has a brief uncredited voice role in “Free Guy” (2021) and a surprise cameo in “Zootopia 2” (2025). All of which were produced by Disney.
Yep, Johnson’s career has taken him from the wrestling ring to some of Hollywood’s biggest movies. And now he officially has the Disney Legend title to add to the list.
Dwayne Johnson is Officially a Disney Legend
Johnson was welcomed to the stage by his “Jungle Cruise” co-star Emily Blunt, who presented him with the honor.
The two previously starred together in the 2021 Disney movie, making Blunt’s appearance a particularly fitting choice for Johnson’s big moment. She also had plenty of kind words for her co-star as she introduced him during the ceremony.
During his acceptance speech, Johnson reflected on a quote he once heard and said he’ll never forget:
“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice”
Honestly, it seems like that message fits perfectly with the kind of moment the Disney Legends ceremony is meant to celebrate. Johnson has had an incredibly successful career. But his speech brought the focus back to the importance of treating people well.
‘The Rock’ Celebrated His Daughter’s Birthday
GettyJohnson’s Disney Legends moment also included a sweet family celebration.
His oldest daughter, Simone, turned 25 on August 14, just two days before her father’s Disney Legends ceremony. During the event, Johnson led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to her.
Yep, getting honored as a Disney Legend is already a pretty big milestone. But turning the moment into a birthday celebration for his daughter made it even more special. Simone followed her father into the wrestling world as Ava/Ava Raine. She was a WWE wrestler and on-screen general manager of the NXT brand.
It’s a pretty fun connection between the two generations. Especially considering Johnson’s own career began in professional wrestling before eventually taking him to Hollywood and, now, Disney Legend status.
Who Else Became a Disney Legend in 2026?
GettyBesides Johnson, the 2026 Disney Legends class also included:
- Chris Berman
- Jerry Bruckheimer
- Susan Egan
- Eric Goldberg
- Anne Hathaway
- Bob Iger
- Kim Irvine
- the Jonas Brothers
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Alan Tudyk
The ceremony was hosted by “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, who returned to host the Disney Legends celebration.
In their description of the show, Disney noted, it was all about “honoring the icons whose creativity, talent, and vision have shaped Disney magic for generations.”
For Johnson, it marks yet another major milestone in a career that has already included WWE championships, blockbuster movies, memorable characters, and plenty of unexpected career turns. Now, he can officially add Disney Legend to that list.
Want to see the full event for yourself? Good news: the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony is available to stream on Disney+, following the August 16 ceremony at D23.
