Comics Marvel

Watch Stan Lee's Emotional Speech At The Disney Legends Awards

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By Tim Karan

Stan Lee has won plenty of awards over the years, but since he grew up idolizing Walt Disney, this one is special.

Marvel honored Lee along with late artist Jack Kirby during the Disney Legends Awards at the D23 convention, which celebrates artists and executives who have made significant contributions to the Walt Disney Company. This year's honorees include Oprah Winfrey, Mark Hamill, and the late Carrie Fisher.

Lee told a story about how, as a child, he saved up his pennies for months to buy the book The Art of Walt Disney. "I loved that book so," he said. "I loved Walt Disney so. To me, he was more than a man. He was an inspiration. He was something to reach for, to be like him."

Kirby passed away in 1994, so his son accepted his award on his behalf, but Lee was clearly moved by a touching tribute to his longtime partner. Lee also lost his wife Joan less than two weeks ago, making for an especially poignant moment onstage. Watch fan-shot video of the speech below, then learn about Lee's untold truth.

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