Disneyland Veteran Sues Company for Firing Him Over False Sexuality Rumors

Disneyland performer Bill Lewis has filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company after being fired from his position in the Dapper Dan Quartet and Bootstrappers Pirate Band. Lewis, who worked at Disneyland for 33 years, claims that he was pushed aside in favor of younger performers and 'blackballed' after he was falsely accused of making comments about a coworker's sexuality.

The lawsuit alleges that Lewis had his hours slashed from 287 in 2023 to just 14 in 2025, preventing him from earning benefits. He claims that Disney excluded him and several other long-time regular performers while replacing them with younger musicians.

Lewis also claims that he was 'bad mouthing' by another cast member, which led to the rumors about his alleged comments on a coworker's sexuality. The lawsuit states that no witness ever came forward claiming to have heard Lewis make the remark.