Disney fans attending D23, the ultimate Disney fan event, are in for a treat as voice acting icon Jim Cummings takes the stage for three star-studded panels in Anaheim. Known as the beloved voice behind some of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, and Star Wars’ Hondo Ohnaka. Cummings brings a career spanning over four decades and more than 1,500 distinct characters to this weekend’s event.
Paying homage to 1923, the year Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s over 100-year history. Created by fans, for fans, D23 serves as a community and all-access pass to everything Disney, covering timeless classics, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and the parks.
Panel Schedule: Where to Catch Jim Cummings
Fans will have multiple opportunities to see Cummings live, including two panels featuring singing contributions from popular Disney productions:
1. Making Disney Magic with Ron Clements
- When: Friday, August 14 | 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
- Where: Archives Stage
- Details: Cummings joins director Ron Clements (one of Disney Animation’s true stars of the past four decades) to take fans inside Clements’ new book, Making Disney Magic. The panel highlights guests from Clements’ prolific legacy of animated films, including Cummings’ portrayal of Ray, the Cajun firefly in The Princess and the Frog, as well as his roles in Aladdin, Hercules, and Treasure Planet.
2. Disney Rewind Concert (Night 1)
- When: Friday, August 14 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Where: Premier Stage
- Details: Billed as the ultimate throwback event showcasing the best Disney hits of the ’80s and ’90s. As an essential part of the Disney Afternoon slate, Cummings was featured in virtually every series in that lineup. He will be spotlighted along with other Disney Animation and Broadway stars like Bill Farmer, Jodi Benson, and Susan Egan.
3. Disney Rewind Concert (Night 2)
- When: Saturday, August 15 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: Premier Stage
- Details: A second performance of the throwback concert event featuring Disney hits from the ’80s and ’90s.
Fresh Off a Monumental Inkpot Award
Cummings arrives at D23 following a busy summer. In late July, he was honored with a prestigious Inkpot Award by Comic-Con International. Essentially an induction into Comic-Con’s Hall of Fame for individual contributions to comics, science fiction/fantasy, film, television, animation, and fandom services.
“I am truly humbled and blessed to receive such an incredible honor, and I proudly share it with my fans – who’ve always been so wonderfully supportive of my work,” Cummings said.
Celebrating a Career of Magic (and 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh)
Cummings’ spotlight is especially timely in 2026 as the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh, a role so closely associated with Cummings that he recently stood alongside the Queen of England to hail the Silly Ol’ Bear’s centennial.
Cummings’ award-winning career spans more than four decades as the auditory talent behind numerous landmark characters:
- Animated Characters: 1,500+ different characters across films, television, games, and shorts
- Film & Television: Nearly 200 films and 134 television series (spanning 2,500+ episodes)
- Games & Shorts: 175 video games and 25 animated shorts
- Major Honors: Two-time Annie Award winner and recipient of the Winsor McCay Award
Outside of performance roles, Cummings serves as the host of the Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings podcast, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, interviewing industry legends, and offering fans an inside look at animation and voice acting.
He is also deeply committed to charitable work. Particularly with organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. There he uses his iconic character voices during personal visits, charity events, and recorded messages to bring joy and uplift young patients.
