Veteran actor Kurt Russell credits legendary filmmaker Walt Disney with personally teaching him the mechanics of the movie industry.

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd will be thanking Disney executives during his after-wedding speech later this year because their predictions about his chemistry connections with bride-to-be Alice Evans were spot on.

Beyonce, Scarlett Johansson and Lyle Lovett are bringing the magic of Disneyland and Disney World to life in a series of arty new ads, snapped by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. The acclaimed photographer persuaded a host of famous friends to help her publicise Disney's Year of A Million Dreams campaign - and dressed them up as their favourite animated characters.

2006 was a great year in the entertainment world; however, let us not forget those who entertained us for generations but have moved on. We look back on those entertainers and cultural icons who left us in 2006 to pay our respects... Jazz, R&B and pop singer Lou Rawls, lost a two year fight with brain and lung cancer (1/6). He was 72. Prolific film star of the 50s, 60s and 70s and star of such hits as Alfie and The Poseidon Adventure, Shelley Winters at age 85 (1/14). 60s soul star Wilson Pickett, who brought us such hits as Mustang Sally and In The Midnight Hour age 64; of a heart attack (1/19); and actor Anthony Franciosa, 77 (1/19). Country singer Janette Carter, of cuuntry music's founding family, the Carters, 82 (1/22); and actor Chris Penn, 40, brother of actor Sean Penn who starred in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1/24). And Coretta Scott King (76), civil rights activist and wife of Martin Luther King, Jr (1/30).

Happy Birthday to "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz (1985), comedienne Margaret Cho (1968), country singer Gary Allan (1967), Goo Goo Doll John Rzeznik (1965), actress and 80s hottie Morgan Brittany (1951), singer/songwriter Jim Messina (1947), Spanish tenor Jose Carreras (1946), American singer Little Richard (1932), film director Otto Preminger (1906; d. 1986), animator Walt Disney (1901; cryogenically frozen, 1966), Metropolis director Fritz Lang (1890; d. 1976), American general George Armstrong Custer (1839; d. 1876), and 8th President of the United States Martin Van Buren (1782; d. 1862).

Walt Disney Records' multi-platinum recording group The Cheetah Girls (Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan and Kiely Williams) will embark on a 40-city concert tour beginning September 15th in Seattle, Washington.

Who wouldn't want Hollywood's biggest stars to sing them to sleep? Some of the most surprising voices in Hollywood, accompanied by musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, lend their talents to a new album, "Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars," to be released by Rhino Records on April 25. It's the perfect soundtrack for quiet evenings at home, with your children…or without them.

Happy Birthday to "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz (1985), comedienne Margaret Cho (1968), country singer Gary Allan (1967), Goo Goo Doll John Rzeznik (1965), actress and 80s hottie Morgan Brittany (1951), singer/songwriter Jim Messina (1947), Spanish tenor Jose Carreras (1946), guitarist JJ Cale (1938), American singer Little Richard (1932), film director Otto Preminger (1906; d. 1986), animator Walt Disney (1901; d. 1966), Metropolis director Fritz Lang (1890; d. 1976), American general George Armstrong Custer (1839; d. 1876), and 8th President of the United States Martin Van Buren (1782; d. 1862).