Texas Native Alan Tudyk is about to receive one of the highest honors Disney can bestow.
The El Paso native and Plano-raised actor has been selected as a member of the 2026 Disney Legends class, recognizing individuals whose contributions have left a lasting mark on The Walt Disney Company. Tudyk will be honored during the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony on August 16 at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California.
While many fans remember Tudyk from live-action roles in films and television shows such as Firefly, A Knight’s Tale, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Disney fans may know him best for the many animated characters he has brought to life over the past decade.
In fact, Tudyk has become something of a Disney animation staple, appearing in nearly every Walt Disney Animation Studios film since Wreck-It Ralph was released in 2012.
His Disney voice credits include King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph, the Duke of Weselton in Frozen, Tuk Tuk in Raya and the Last Dragon, Valentino in Wish, and perhaps his most recognizable Disney role, Hei Hei, the hilariously clueless rooster from Moana.
Outside of animation, Tudyk is also beloved by Star Wars fans for his portrayal of K-2SO, the sarcastic Imperial droid turned Rebel hero featured in Rogue One and the Disney+ series Andor.
The Disney Legends Award is considered Disney’s highest honor and recognizes artists, creators, performers, and visionaries whose work has made a significant impact on the company and its fans around the world.
This year’s Disney Legends class includes several well-known names from across the entertainment industry, but for Texans, Tudyk’s recognition offers a special point of pride. From his roots in the Lone Star State to becoming one of Disney’s most recognizable voices, his career has taken him from Texas classrooms and community stages to some of the biggest franchises in entertainment.
The Disney Legends ceremony will take place during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney’s largest fan convention, which brings together fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and the company’s theme parks for a weekend of presentations, exhibits, celebrity appearances, and special announcements.
For Texas Native Alan Tudyk, it marks another milestone in a career that has entertained audiences for decades—and proves that sometimes a Texas actor can become a Disney Legend simply by being a knight, a spaceship pilot, a robot, and, of course, a very memorable chicken.
