Jim Cummings Brings Pooh, Tigger and a Legacy of Disney Magic to D23 With Three Special Panels

For generations of Disney fans, the voice of Jim Cummings is practically the soundtrack of childhood. From the warm-hearted charm of Winnie the Pooh and the exuberant energy of Tigger to the heroic swagger of Darkwing Duck and the unpredictable Hondo Ohnaka in Star Wars, Cummings has helped define some of animation’s most beloved characters.

Now, the legendary voice actor is bringing that extraordinary career to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, where he is taking part in three special panels celebrating Disney history, animation and the music of an unforgettable era.

Cummings’ D23 appearances span Friday and Saturday, giving fans multiple opportunities to hear stories from one of the most prolific voice performers in entertainment history.

Celebrating Ron Clements and a Disney Animation Legacy

Cummings will kick off his D23 weekend on Friday, August 14, joining acclaimed Disney animator and filmmaker Ron Clements for Making Disney Magic with Ron Clements.

The panel takes place from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on the Archives Stage and will take fans behind the scenes of Clements’ new book, Making Disney Magic.

Clements has been one of the defining creative forces in Disney Animation for more than four decades, with a filmography that includes some of the studio’s most celebrated animated features. Cummings is part of that legacy, having lent his unmistakable voice to characters in films including The Princess and the Frog, Aladdin, Hercules and Treasure Planet.

For The Princess and the Frog, Cummings delivered the memorable performance of Ray, the lovably optimistic Cajun firefly whose devotion to Evangeline became one of the film’s most touching storylines.

The panel promises to be a nostalgic trip through Clements’ remarkable career, with Cummings joining other special guests connected to the filmmaker’s extensive Disney legacy.

A Disney Afternoon Throwback

Cummings will then take the stage for the Disney Rewind Concert, appearing at the Premier Stage on both Friday and Saturday.

The Friday performance is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by Saturday’s concert from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Billed as the ultimate throwback celebration of the greatest Disney hits from the 1980s and 1990s, Disney Rewind is tailor-made for fans who grew up with the golden age of Disney Afternoon television and classic Disney animation.

And Cummings is about as perfect a guest as the event could ask for.

His résumé includes roles in virtually every corner of the Disney Afternoon era, making him one of the voices most closely associated with the television lineup that captivated an entire generation.

Cummings will be joined by an impressive group of Disney Animation and Broadway talent, including Bill Farmer, Jodi Benson and Susan Egan, for a musical celebration that promises to turn the clock back several decades.

For longtime Disney fans, hearing these voices together on one stage should be a particularly special reminder of just how influential those films and television series remain.

From Comic-Con’s Inkpot Award to D23

Cummings’ appearance at D23 comes during an especially significant summer for the legendary performer.

In late July, Comic-Con International honored Cummings with the prestigious Inkpot Award, recognizing his contributions to comics, science fiction and fantasy, film, television, animation and fandom.

The award represents one of the most respected honors within the worlds celebrated by Comic-Con.

“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.

That connection with fans has been a defining part of Cummings’ career.

More Than 1,500 Characters

Few performers can claim a résumé quite like Cummings’.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, the actor has reportedly provided voices for more than 1,500 animated characters across nearly 200 films, 134 television series and more than 2,500 episodes, as well as 175 video games and 25 animated shorts.

His collection of characters reads like an encyclopedia of animation.

There is Pooh, whose gentle wisdom has made him an enduring Disney icon. There is Tigger, whose boundless enthusiasm remains instantly recognizable. There is Darkwing Duck, one of the most memorable heroes of the Disney Afternoon era. And for Star Wars fans, there is Hondo Ohnaka, the charmingly slippery pirate whose adventures have stretched across multiple corners of the franchise.

Cummings’ work has earned him two Annie Awards as well as the prestigious Winsor McCay Award, further cementing his status as one of the industry’s defining voice talents.

A Perfect Year for Winnie the Pooh

Cummings’ D23 appearance is also particularly timely in 2026, as the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh.

The character has been an enormous part of Cummings’ professional life, and his performance has helped establish the voice associated with Pooh for generations of audiences.

The centennial celebration even brought Cummings into an extraordinary setting earlier this year, when he joined the festivities honoring the iconic “Silly Ol’ Bear” alongside the Queen of England.

It’s difficult to imagine a more fitting moment for Cummings to celebrate his Disney legacy with fans.

Taking Fans Behind the Voice

Cummings’ connection with audiences extends beyond the characters themselves. Through his popular podcast, “Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings,” he shares behind-the-scenes stories, speaks with animation legends and explores the craft of voice acting.

That willingness to pull back the curtain has helped fans appreciate the artistry behind the voices they have known for decades.

But Cummings’ impact isn’t limited to entertainment.

He has also devoted significant time to charitable work, particularly efforts focused on bringing happiness to sick children. Through organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Cummings has used his iconic characters and voices to bring moments of joy to young patients and their families.

Whether through personal appearances, charity events or recorded messages, his work away from the microphone has become another important part of his legacy.

Three Panels, Decades of Disney Memories

With three appearances across D23, Cummings is giving fans a chance to celebrate virtually every chapter of his extraordinary Disney journey.

From the artistry of Ron Clements and the emotional magic of The Princess and the Frog to the unforgettable television worlds of Disney Afternoon and the songs of the ’80s and ’90s, his weekend at D23 serves as a living celebration of animation history.

And with Winnie the Pooh reaching his centennial milestone in 2026, there may be no better time for Disney fans to celebrate the man behind so many voices that have been part of their lives.

For audiences who grew up hearing Pooh say hello, Tigger bounce into the room, or Darkwing Duck announce that he was ready to face danger, seeing Jim Cummings on the D23 stage isn’t simply a trip down memory lane.

It’s a celebration of the voice behind the memories.