Bob Iger

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Bob Iger
BornRobert Alan Iger
10 2, 1951
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMedia executive
TitleChief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company
EmployerThe Walt Disney Company
Known forCEO of The Walt Disney Company
EducationIthaca College (B.S.)
Spouse(s)Template:Plainlist
AwardsTemplate:Plainlist
Website[https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ Official site]

Robert Alan Iger (born February 10, 1951) is an American media executive who serves as the chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company. Across a career spanning more than five decades in the media industry, Iger rose from an entry-level position at ABC to the top of the world's largest entertainment conglomerate. He first served as CEO of Disney from 2005 to 2020, during which time he oversaw a period of significant expansion that included the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox, as well as the launch of the streaming platform Disney+. Under his initial fifteen-year leadership, Disney's market capitalization grew from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion. After serving as executive chairman and formally retiring on December 31, 2021, Iger returned to the CEO role on November 20, 2022, following the board's dismissal of his successor, Bob Chapek. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract until 2026, though in early 2026, Iger indicated he would step down before the contract's expiration, with Josh D'Amaro announced as his successor effective March 18, 2026.[1] Iger's tenure at Disney has been defined by a strategy centered on the acquisition and management of premium intellectual property, international theme park expansion, and a pivot to direct-to-consumer streaming services.

Early Life

Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City, New York.[2] He grew up on Long Island, where he was raised in a middle-class family. His father, Arthur L. Iger, worked in advertising and as a college professor, while his mother was a homemaker. Iger has spoken publicly about growing up in modest circumstances and the influence his family had on his work ethic and ambition.[3]

Iger attended local public schools on Long Island before pursuing higher education. From an early age, he demonstrated an interest in media and communications, interests that would shape the trajectory of his professional life.

Education

Iger enrolled at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio. He graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science degree.[4][5] His education at Ithaca College, a school with a well-regarded communications program, provided him with a foundation in the broadcasting industry that he would enter immediately after graduation.

Career

Early Career at ABC

Iger began his career at the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in 1974, joining the network at a low-level position shortly after completing his education. He steadily advanced through the organization over the following two decades, gaining experience across various departments and divisions of the network.[6]

By 1989, Iger had risen to a senior role within the network. That year, ABC named him president of ABC Entertainment, a position in which he oversaw the network's programming strategy and content development.[7] In 1993, he was promoted further within the ABC organizational structure, overseeing a regrouping of the network's divisions in a reorganization that expanded his portfolio of responsibilities.[8]

Iger served as president of ABC from 1994 to 1995. When Capital Cities/ABC operated as a combined entity, Iger was named president and chief operating officer (COO), a position he held from 1995 until Disney's acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. This acquisition brought Iger into the Disney fold and set the stage for his eventual ascent to the company's top leadership position.[9]

Rise Within Disney

Following Disney's acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC, Iger continued to serve in senior operational roles within the larger company. In 2000, he was named president of The Walt Disney Company, effectively making him the second-ranking executive behind then-CEO Michael Eisner.[10] In this capacity, Iger oversaw the company's day-to-day operations and played an increasingly central role in strategic decision-making at a time when Disney was facing significant creative and corporate challenges under Eisner's leadership.

Iger succeeded Eisner as CEO of The Walt Disney Company in 2005. The transition came amid a period of corporate upheaval at Disney, which had faced a protracted boardroom conflict and public criticism of Eisner's management. Iger's appointment was viewed as an opportunity for a change in direction.[11][12]

First Tenure as CEO (2005–2020)

Iger's first tenure as CEO of Disney, from 2005 to 2020, was characterized by a series of large-scale acquisitions that substantially expanded the company's portfolio of intellectual properties and content capabilities.

Acquisition of Pixar

One of Iger's earliest and most consequential strategic moves was the acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios in 2006 for approximately $7.4 billion. The deal brought Pixar's creative leadership, including John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, into the Disney organization and was instrumental in revitalizing Walt Disney Animation Studios, which had experienced a decline in critical and commercial performance in the years preceding the acquisition. The purchase also strengthened Disney's relationship with Steve Jobs, who had been Pixar's majority shareholder and became Disney's largest individual shareholder as a result of the transaction.

Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment

In 2009, Disney completed its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment for approximately $4 billion. The deal gave Disney control of Marvel's extensive library of comic book characters, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and The Avengers. Under Disney's ownership, Marvel Studios went on to produce the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which became one of the most commercially successful film franchises in history. The acquisition was a key component of Iger's broader strategy of building Disney's content offerings around established, globally recognized intellectual properties.

Acquisition of Lucasfilm

In October 2012, Disney announced its acquisition of Lucasfilm for approximately $4.06 billion, a deal that brought the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises under Disney's control. The acquisition was negotiated by Iger directly with Lucasfilm founder George Lucas.[13] Disney subsequently produced a new trilogy of Star Wars films, beginning with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, as well as standalone films and television series for its streaming platforms.

International Theme Park Expansion

During Iger's tenure, Disney expanded its theme park presence in East Asia. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort opened in 2005, and Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016. The Shanghai resort represented one of the largest investments in Disney's history and was a focal point of Iger's strategy to grow the company's presence in the Chinese market.[14]

Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets

In 2019, Disney completed its acquisition of the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox for approximately $71.3 billion, the largest acquisition in the company's history. The deal brought properties including 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox), FX Networks, National Geographic Partners, and a controlling stake in Hulu under the Disney umbrella. The acquisition significantly expanded Disney's content library and production capabilities, and positioned the company for its push into the direct-to-consumer streaming business.

Launch of Disney+

A central element of Iger's later strategy during his first tenure was the development and launch of Disney+, the company's direct-to-consumer streaming service. Disney+ launched in November 2019 and quickly attracted a large subscriber base, drawing on the extensive content libraries of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The launch represented a strategic pivot for Disney toward streaming as a primary distribution model, alongside its traditional theatrical and linear television businesses. Iger also oversaw increased investment in Hulu, which Disney gained majority control of through the Fox acquisition.

Contract Extensions

Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times during his first tenure. In 2014, Disney extended his contract through 2018.[15][16] Subsequent extensions pushed the expiration date further, reflecting the board's desire to retain Iger amid ongoing challenges in finding a suitable successor.[17][18] The question of CEO succession at Disney became a recurring topic of discussion in the media industry throughout the latter years of Iger's first tenure.

Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021)

Iger's contract as CEO expired in 2020, and he transitioned to the role of executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company. Bob Chapek, who had led Disney's parks, experiences, and products division, was named as Iger's successor as CEO. In the executive chairman role, Iger continued to provide strategic guidance and oversaw the company's creative endeavors. He formally retired from the company on December 31, 2021.[19]

Return as CEO (2022–2026)

On November 20, 2022, at the request of Disney's board of directors, Iger returned to the company as CEO following the board's decision to dismiss Chapek. The move came amid declining subscriber growth at Disney+, significant financial losses in the streaming division, and broader concerns about the company's strategic direction under Chapek's leadership. Iger's return was announced as a stabilizing measure intended to restore confidence among investors, creative partners, and employees.

In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract, extending it until 2026. During his second tenure, Iger focused on restructuring the company's operations, improving profitability in the streaming business, and addressing cost concerns across the organization.

In early 2026, reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to step down before his contract's expiration.[20] On February 3, 2026, Disney announced that Josh D'Amaro, the head of Disney's parks, experiences, and products division, would succeed Iger as CEO effective March 18, 2026.[21] The succession announcement drew criticism from activist investor Nelson Peltz, who accused Iger of selecting D'Amaro to retain influence over the company after his departure.[22]

During his final weeks as CEO, Iger also announced a partnership between Disney and OpenAI involving the use of OpenAI's Sora video generation technology on Disney+, while stating that the arrangement would not affect other Disney programming.[23]

Political Activities

Iger briefly served on President Donald Trump's business advisory council before resigning from it in June 2017 following the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord.[24]

Iger has been associated with Democratic political causes. He has hosted fundraising events for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns.[25]

As of February 2026, Iger was reported to have been floated as a potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as chair of the LA28 Olympic organizing committee, though no formal appointment had been announced.[26]

Personal Life

Iger was married to Susan Iger from 1977 until their divorce in 1994. They have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger.[27]

In 1995, Iger married journalist and television anchor Willow Bay, who later became dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Their wedding was reported by The New York Times.[28] Iger and Bay have two children together.

Iger has resided in the Los Angeles area during his years leading Disney.

Recognition

During his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his contributions to the media and entertainment industry. He has been inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in recognition of his impact on the television industry across his decades of work at ABC and Disney.

Iger's leadership of Disney during a period of significant growth and transformation has been the subject of extensive coverage in business and entertainment media. During his initial fifteen-year stint as CEO, Disney's market capitalization grew from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion, a figure frequently cited as evidence of his strategic effectiveness. The acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and the 21st Century Fox entertainment assets collectively reshaped the landscape of the entertainment industry and consolidated a significant share of major film and television intellectual property under the Disney umbrella.

His memoir, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, was published in 2019 and became a bestseller.

Legacy

Iger's impact on The Walt Disney Company and the broader media industry is principally measured through the series of transformative acquisitions he executed during his tenure as CEO. The purchases of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets — totaling more than $86 billion in combined deal value — fundamentally altered the company's competitive position and its portfolio of intellectual properties. These acquisitions gave Disney control over some of the most commercially valuable entertainment franchises in the world, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Star Wars saga, and Pixar's animated film library.

Under Iger's leadership, Disney also made a significant strategic pivot toward direct-to-consumer distribution with the launch of Disney+ in 2019, a move that reshaped the company's business model and contributed to broader industry shifts toward streaming. The expansion of Disney's theme park operations into China, particularly the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016, extended the company's global footprint in a key growth market.

The question of succession remained a central challenge throughout Iger's leadership. His initial efforts to identify and groom a successor proved difficult, with multiple potential candidates departing the company before a transition could be completed. His return to the CEO role in 2022, after approximately one year of retirement, underscored both the board's reliance on his leadership and the complexity of replacing a long-tenured chief executive at a company of Disney's scale. His selection of Josh D'Amaro as his ultimate successor, announced in February 2026, represented his final major act as CEO.[29]

References

  1. ↑ "Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger".CNN.2026-02-03.https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ "Robert A. Iger".The Walt Disney Company.https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ "Robert Iger 1951— Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Robert A. Iger".The Walt Disney Company.https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "Robert Iger 1951— Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Robert Iger 1951— Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "ABC Names Its President of Entertainment".The New York Times.1989-03-24.https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "ABC Ups Iger, Regroups Divisions".Variety.1993.https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Robert A. Iger".The Walt Disney Company.https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Iger Tapped No. 2 as Mouse TV Booms".Variety.2000.https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/iger-tapped-no-2-as-mouse-tv-booms-1117765636/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "A New No. 1 at Disney".The Washington Post.2005-03-14.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Taming the Mouse".The Economist.2005.http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for 'Star Wars'".Bloomberg Businessweek.2013-03-07.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Star Wars, Shanghai Disney".Los Angeles Times.2016-03-08.http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Disney Extends Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018".The Wall Street Journal.2014-10-02.https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Disney Extends Bob Iger Contract Through 2018".Variety.2014.https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Disney's Dilemma: Can Bob Iger Ever Find a Successor?".The Hollywood Reporter.http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-dilemma-can-bob-iger-ever-find-a-successor-989599.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Disney CEO succession".Reuters.2017-03-23.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disney-ceo-idUSKBN16U23I.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Robert A. Iger".The Walt Disney Company.https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires".The Wall Street Journal.2026-02.https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger".CNN.2026-02-03.https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Nelson Peltz Accuses Bob Iger of Backing Josh D'Amaro as CEO to Retain Power at Disney".Variety.2026-02.https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nelson-peltz-accuses-bob-iger-josh-damaro-disney-1236651272/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Disney's OpenAI Video Pact Will Not Affect Its Other Programming, CEO Bob Iger Says".Deadline Hollywood.2026-02.https://deadline.com/2026/02/disney-openai-sora-video-bob-iger-1236705948/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Disney CEO Bob Iger Resigns From Trump's Advisory Council Over Paris Accord Decision".Variety.2017-06-01.https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills".Beverly Hills Courier.http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "Report: Bob Iger floated as potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as LA28 chair".Sports Business Journal.2026-02-23.https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/02/23/report-bob-iger-floated-as-potential-replacement-for-casey-wasserman-as-la28-chair/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "Kathleen Iger and Jarrod Cushing".The New York Times.2005-09-25.https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/fashion/weddings/kathleen-iger-and-jarrod-cushing.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ↑ "Willow Bay and Robert Iger".The New York Times.1995-10-08.https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  29. ↑ "Bob Iger once fought to keep control at Disney. This time, he's stepping aside early.".Business Insider.2026-02.https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bob-iger-stepped-down-early-josh-damaro-disney-ceo-2026-2.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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