In a special moment at Disney's D23 fan convention, actor Harrison Ford paid tribute to movie composer John Williams during the Disney Legends ceremony.
The ceremony, held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, saw the "Indiana Jones" star honored with the legend status. During his speech, Ford addressed the audience of approximately 12,000 attendees, praising Williams: "John has written the soundtrack of our lives."
John Williams, known for his iconic film scores, has created timeless and beloved soundtracks that have impacted movies and audiences worldwide. Among his impressive works are compositions for films like "Jaws," "Star Wars," "Superman," "Indiana Jones," "E.T.," and three from the "Harry Potter" franchise.
As noted on the official Walt Disney website, "Think of 'Indiana Jones' without the march that introduces him, think of Princess Leia without the gentle flute that plays her on, or the opening crawl of the 'Star Wars' film without its incredible orchestra."
Ford, now 82 years old, added, "For over half a century, each and every time John Williams composes a new score, he finds a way to imbue the film's story and characters with a timeless and essential quality."
"That's because John is a storyteller and his language is the exquisite music that touches our hearts and inspires our greatness."
A Legend Beyond Disney
Throughout his career, Williams has been honored with a collection of awards. His accolades include five Oscars, four Golden Globes, seven BAFTAs, and 25 Grammys.
Ford emphasized the significant impact of "all-important collaboration that has brought me a unique form of joy - the creation of film soundtracks."
Thank you to everyone for celebrating the Disney Legends at #D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event! pic.twitter.com/V6wSVRbsb1
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) August 12, 2024
Meanwhile, producer Kathleen Kennedy, who worked with Williams on films including "E.T." and "Jurassic Park," expressed her admiration for the composer, saying, "It is no exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time."
Although Williams was not able to attend the ceremony in person, he arranged a medley of his famous movie soundtracks, which was then performed by the Pacific Symphony, captivating the audience.
A squad of imperial soldiers also took the stage as a tribute to the iconic "Star Wars" theme, marking the event's grand finale.
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