Jamie Lee Curtis is among the list of incoming Disney Legends that will be honored on August 11, 2024, at the Disney Legends Award Ceremony. This will be the big culminating event at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The actor has a long career that has seen her being the “scream queen” and also appearing in family-friendly Disney films.
When Jamie Lee Curtis is inducted on Sunday as a Disney Legend, she will be joining an illustrious group of people who have contributed to Disney and “pushed the envelope of creativity, challenged conventional wisdom, and broken the restraints of the status quo in search of new possibilities and excellence.” This includes Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams.
Ahead of the ceremony, Jamie Lee Curtis was asked some questions about this milestone event. Disney released this interview and it can be read below!
How does it feel to be honored as a Disney Legend?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, the city of Angels. Disneyland was and is such a big part of California history, and for me to become an actor and then work many times for The Walt Disney Company in such successful and loved films is the [greatest] honor. The Legend status I can’t even wrap my mind around.
How did working with Disney help you evolve your scream queen persona?
I started my career as a scream queen. I was thrilled to be able to get a solid footing in an industry which can often feel like quicksand. From that footing, I’ve been able to then leap higher into many different genres and my work with Disney was a big catapult with Freaky Friday.
You’re reprising your role as Tess Coleman opposite Lindsay Lohan in a sequel to Freaky Friday. Why did you want to revisit this character, and what can fans expect?
I am the catalyst for the new film because while on a tour of the world promoting the Halloween franchise, the most asked question, wherever I went, and whatever language was, “Are you gonna make a Freaky Friday sequel?’ When I returned from that trip, I called Bob Iger and suggested that they take very seriously the possibility—and now we are in the process of making that film. It’s a relatable question. What would it feel like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes? We have a few surprises in this new film, and a lot of old favorites.
In addition to the Freaky Friday films, you’ve developed quite a Disney oeuvre, from Beverly Hills Chihuahua and You Again to Haunted Mansion and Ella MacKay. What’s your favorite part about making these movies for The Walt Disney Studios?
I love the movies because they allow people to group together and have a communal experience while having a very personal one. Disney exemplifies that, and it also shows how diverse The Walt Disney Company is in its storytelling and audiences.
Are there any Disney roles still on your bucket list?
I think my dance card has been filled with the most unexpected and delightful work that I’ve been able to do. I’m just grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of such an important entertainment giant.
