Harrison Ford Accepts Disney Legend Award in Touching Speech at D23

Oscar nominee Harrison Ford has been officially declared a legend — a Disney Legend that is.

On Sunday at the D23 Expo, Ford was honored with the hall-of-fame-style award from the Walt Disney Company. Because Lucasfilm is owned by Disney, Ford’s most famous roles — like Han Solo from “Star Wars” and the adventuring archaeologist Indiana Jones — cement him as one of the studio’s most iconic actors. Next February, Ford continues his legendary run at the studio by starring in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World” as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, the U.S. President who memorably transforms into Red Hulk.

Bob Iger took the stage to present Ford with the first award of the night. “Before he was the captain of the Millennium Falcon or a globetrotting archeologist, Harrison Ford was, like so many, an aspiring actor who came to Hollywood to pursue their dreams,” Iger teased to thunderous applause at the Honda Center. “He is the definition of a leading man, who stands alone in a category all his own.”

After a montage of Harrison’s most iconic work, Ford took the stage to an enthusiastic standing ovation. Referencing one of his most iconic “Star Wars” moments, he told the crowd, “I love you, too” (a more direct version of Han Solo’s famous response, “I know.”)

He continued, “I love the life you’ve given me. I love the people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Nobody does anything in this business for long. We work in collaboration, no matter what who we are and what we’re doing.”

Ford called himself an “assistant storyteller,” adding, “The stories are for you, about you, about us,” Ford said as he choked back tears. “To be able to work in that area is a privilege.”

He went on to thank Iger personally, saying, “I’m acknowledging how important Bob has been in the work that I’ve done and in a creative and business capacity, and he’s also become a dear friend.”

Ford’s acceptance speech was one of the most anticipated at the evening ceremony, which also saw “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” composer John Williams and Frank Oz — who brought Jedi master Yoda to life — inducted. The trio join George Lucas, Mark Hamill, the late Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones, Jon Favreau and Ming-Na Wen as members of the Lucasfilm tree who’ve already been enshrined.

The full class of 2024 honorees include Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood; “Black Panther” star and Oscar nominee Angela Bassett; the first Black Disney tour guide Martha Blanding; TV and film icon, Oscar winner James L. Brooks; “Avatar” mastermind and Oscar winner James Cameron; “Freaky Friday” star and Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis; Grammy winner and “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus; comic book artist Steve Ditko; animator Mark Henn; Emmy-winning TV host Kelly Ripa; and Disney Imagineer executive Joe Rohde. The ceremony will stream on Disney+ in the U.S. and Canada, beginning on Monday, Aug. 12.

It’s far from the first time Ford has gotten emotional onstage; in fact, it’s become a bit of a lovely trend. In January, Ford got choked up while accepting the career achievement award from the Critics Choice Association.

“I’m here because of a combination of luck and the work of wonderful directors, writers and filmmakers. I feel enormously lucky,” Ford told the A-list crowd, looking visibly moved by their admiration and applause.

He grew more emotional as he thanked his wife, Calista Flockhart, who “supports me when I need a lot of support — and I need a lot of support.” Then, he saluted his co-stars, many of whom were sitting in the room, like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” actor Ke Huy Quan. “I’m grateful to all the fine actors … I’ve worked with and I’m deeply happy to have had the opportunities that I’ve had.”