Bob Iger: Difference between revisions

The neutral encyclopedia of notable people
← Older edit
Content engine: create biography for Bob Iger (3283 words) [update]
Content engine: create biography for Bob Iger (2664 words) [update]
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
| name        = Bob Iger
| name        = Bob Iger
| birth_name  = Robert Alan Iger
| birth_name  = Robert Alan Iger
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1951|2|10}}
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1951|2|10}}
| birth_place  = New York City, New York, U.S.
| birth_place  = New York City, New York, U.S.
| nationality  = American
| nationality  = American
| occupation  = Media executive
| occupation  = Media executive
| known_for    = CEO of [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| known_for    = CEO of [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| title        = Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company
| title        = Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
| employer    = [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| education    = [[Ithaca College]] (B.S.)
| spouse      = {{plainlist|
| spouse      = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Susan Iger|1977|1994|end=div}}
* {{marriage|Susan Iger|1977|1994|end=div}}
Line 15: Line 13:
}}
}}
| awards      = {{plainlist|
| awards      = {{plainlist|
* [[Time 100]]
* [[Emmy Award]]
* [[Emmy Award]]
* [[Order of the British Empire|Honorary KBE]]
}}
}}
| website      = {{URL|https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/}}
| website      = {{URL|https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/}}
}}
}}


'''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]]. Over a career spanning more than five decades in the media industry, Iger rose from an entry-level position at [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] to the top of one of the world's largest entertainment conglomerates. He served as president of ABC from 1994 to 1995, then as president and chief operating officer of [[Capital Cities/ABC]] from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert A. Iger — Executive Chairman |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Named president of Disney in 2000, Iger succeeded [[Michael Eisner]] as CEO in 2005 and led the company through a period of significant expansion, overseeing the acquisitions of [[Pixar]], [[Marvel Entertainment]], [[Lucasfilm]], and the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney: Bob Iger's Transformation of Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, the company's market capitalization grew from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion. Iger stepped down as CEO in 2020 and served as executive chairman until his formal retirement on December 31, 2021. He returned to the CEO role on November 20, 2022, following the dismissal of his successor, [[Bob Chapek]], and his contract was renewed until 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In February 2026, Disney announced that Josh D'Amaro would succeed Iger as CEO on March 18, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''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]]. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in the media industry, Iger rose from a studio supervisor at a local television station to lead one of the largest entertainment conglomerates in the world. He served as president of the [[American Broadcasting Company]] (ABC) from 1994 to 1995, and as president and chief operating officer (COO) of [[Capital Cities/ABC]] from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996.<ref name="refbiz">{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Named president of Disney in 2000, Iger succeeded [[Michael Eisner]] as CEO in 2005, a position he held until 2020.<ref name="variety2000">{{cite news |date=2000 |title=Iger tapped No. 2 as Mouse TV booms |url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/iger-tapped-no-2-as-mouse-tv-booms-1117765636/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="wapost">{{cite news |title=Disney Names Iger as New Chief |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Iger oversaw the acquisitions of [[Pixar]], [[Marvel Entertainment]], [[Lucasfilm]], and the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]], and the company's market capitalization grew from $56 billion to $231 billion. After serving as executive chairman until his formal retirement on December 31, 2021, Iger returned to the CEO role on November 20, 2022, following the dismissal of his successor, [[Bob Chapek]]. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger would be succeeded as CEO by [[Josh D'Amaro]] on March 18, 2026.<ref name="cnn2026">{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in [[New York City]], New York. He grew up on [[Long Island]], in a middle-class family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His father, Arthur L. Iger, worked in advertising and later as an executive at a marketing firm, while his mother, Mimi, was a homemaker. Iger has described a childhood shaped by his father's struggles with depression and the family's modest financial circumstances, experiences that he later credited with instilling in him a strong work ethic and a determination to succeed in the professional world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name="refbiz" /> He grew up on [[Long Island]], where he attended local schools. Details regarding his parents and family background indicate a middle-class upbringing in the New York metropolitan area.<ref name="refbiz" />


Growing up, Iger attended public schools on Long Island. He developed interests in television and media at an early age, fascinated by the programming he watched and the possibilities of the medium. These formative experiences on Long Island would later prove foundational as he embarked on a career that would take him to the highest echelons of the American media industry.
Iger developed an interest in media and broadcasting from a young age. After completing his secondary education on Long Island, he pursued higher education at [[Ithaca College]] in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio.<ref name="refbiz" /> His time at Ithaca College provided him with foundational experience in the broadcasting industry that would shape his subsequent career trajectory.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Iger attended [[Ithaca College]] in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio. He graduated from the college's School of Communications with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His education in broadcasting and communications provided the technical and creative grounding for what would become a long career in the television and entertainment industry. Iger has maintained a connection with Ithaca College throughout his career.
Iger attended [[Ithaca College]], where he earned a bachelor's degree in television and radio from the Roy H. Park School of Communications.<ref name="refbiz" /> His education at Ithaca College provided practical training in broadcast media, which served as a launching point for his entry into the television industry upon graduation.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Career at ABC ===
=== Early Television Career ===


After graduating from Ithaca College in 1973, Iger began his career in the television industry at [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], starting in a low-level position. He worked his way through various roles within the network over the course of nearly two decades, gaining experience across multiple divisions of the company. His early assignments gave him an operational understanding of television production, programming, and the business side of the broadcasting industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger began his career in television in 1972 as a studio supervisor at a local cable television station in Ithaca, New York.<ref name="refbiz" /> He subsequently joined the [[American Broadcasting Company]] (ABC), where he would spend the next two and a half decades rising through the organization's ranks. At ABC, Iger held a series of progressively senior positions across the network's various divisions.


By the late 1980s, Iger had risen to a senior leadership position within ABC. In March 1989, he was named president of [[ABC Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite news |date=1989-03-24 |title=ABC Names Its President of Entertainment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this role, Iger oversaw the network's programming and creative output during a competitive period in American broadcasting. He was responsible for developing and scheduling the prime-time lineup and working with producers and talent to shape ABC's on-air identity.
In 1989, ABC named Iger as president of ABC Entertainment, a significant promotion that placed him in charge of the network's programming strategy.<ref>{{cite news |date=1989-03-24 |title=ABC Names Its President of Entertainment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this role, Iger oversaw the network's prime-time and daytime programming schedules and was responsible for guiding ABC's content strategy during a competitive period in broadcast television.


In 1993, Iger was promoted within the ABC corporate structure, taking on broader responsibilities as the network reorganized its divisions.<ref>{{cite news |date=1993 |title=ABC Ups Iger, Regroups Divisions |url=https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> By 1994, he had been named president of ABC, Inc., the parent entity of the television network, giving him oversight of the company's full range of broadcast operations.
=== President of ABC and Capital Cities/ABC ===


=== Capital Cities/ABC and Disney Acquisition ===
By 1993, Iger had been elevated to a broader leadership role at ABC, overseeing multiple divisions within the company as the network restructured its operations.<ref>{{cite news |date=1993 |title=ABC ups Iger, regroups divisions |url=https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He was named president of ABC in 1994, and following the merger with [[Capital Cities Communications]], served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of [[Capital Cities/ABC]] from 1995.<ref name="refbiz" />


In 1995, Iger became president and chief operating officer (COO) of [[Capital Cities/ABC]], the media conglomerate that owned ABC. This appointment placed him at the top of one of the largest media companies in the United States at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert A. Iger — Executive Chairman |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger's tenure at Capital Cities/ABC coincided with a transformative period in the media industry. In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC in a landmark deal, bringing the ABC television network, its owned-and-operated stations, the [[ESPN]] cable sports networks, and other media properties under the Disney corporate umbrella. Following the acquisition, Iger continued in senior leadership roles within Disney's media networks division, serving as chairman of the ABC Group and president of Walt Disney International.<ref name="refbiz" />


The same year, The Walt Disney Company announced its acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC in a deal that was among the largest media mergers of the 1990s. The merger, completed in 1996, brought ABC, [[ESPN]], and other media properties under the Disney umbrella. As part of the transition, Iger continued to serve in a senior leadership capacity, managing the integration of the ABC businesses into the larger Disney corporate structure. His operational expertise and familiarity with the television business made him a key figure in the post-merger organization.
=== Rise to Disney CEO ===


=== President of The Walt Disney Company ===
In January 2000, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company, placing him as the second-ranking executive at the corporation behind then-CEO [[Michael Eisner]].<ref name="variety2000" /> This appointment positioned Iger as a potential successor to Eisner, though the succession question would not be resolved for several years.


In January 2000, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company by then-CEO [[Michael Eisner]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2000 |title=Iger Tapped No. 2 as Mouse TV Booms |url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/iger-tapped-no-2-as-mouse-tv-booms-1117765636/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this role, Iger served as Eisner's top deputy, overseeing day-to-day operations of the company and its various business segments, which included theme parks, filmed entertainment, media networks, and consumer products.
The early 2000s were a turbulent period for Disney. Eisner faced a shareholder revolt led by former board members [[Roy E. Disney]] and [[Stanley Gold]], who launched a "Save Disney" campaign criticizing Eisner's management of the company. In the midst of this internal upheaval, Disney's board of directors selected Iger to succeed Eisner as CEO, effective October 1, 2005.<ref name="wapost" /> The appointment was met with some skepticism from analysts and observers who questioned whether Iger, as Eisner's handpicked deputy, would chart a sufficiently different course for the company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bob Iger's dilemma |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077 |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The early 2000s were a period of turmoil for Disney, marked by public disputes between Eisner and prominent board members, including [[Roy E. Disney]], as well as a contested proxy fight. Amid these corporate governance challenges, Iger emerged as the internal candidate to succeed Eisner. He was named Eisner's successor-designate, and the transition was closely watched by Wall Street and the media industry.
=== First Tenure as CEO (2005–2020) ===


=== CEO of Disney: First Tenure (2005–2020) ===
Iger's initial tenure as CEO of Disney was defined by a series of large-scale acquisitions that fundamentally reshaped the company's portfolio of intellectual properties and its position in the entertainment industry.
 
On October 1, 2005, Iger officially succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO of The Walt Disney Company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-03-14 |title=Disney's New World |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2006-01-19 |title=A Magic Kingdom at War |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077 |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His appointment came at a time when the company's relationships with key creative partners—most notably [[Pixar Animation Studios]] and its leader, [[Steve Jobs]]—had deteriorated under Eisner's leadership. One of Iger's first priorities was to repair these relationships and reposition Disney for growth.


==== Acquisition of Pixar ====
==== Acquisition of Pixar ====


In January 2006, Disney announced the acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction. The deal brought Pixar, the studio behind commercially and critically successful animated films including ''[[Toy Story]]'', ''[[Finding Nemo]]'', and ''[[The Incredibles]]'', fully into the Disney fold. The acquisition also brought Steve Jobs onto the Disney board of directors as the company's largest individual shareholder, and placed Pixar's creative leaders, [[John Lasseter]] and [[Ed Catmull]], in charge of [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney: Bob Iger's Transformation of Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The Pixar acquisition was seen as a turning point that reinvigorated Disney's animation output and established a template for Iger's subsequent acquisition strategy.
One of Iger's first major strategic moves was the acquisition of [[Pixar Animation Studios]] in 2006 for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction. The deal brought Pixar's acclaimed animation talent and technology, as well as franchises such as ''[[Toy Story]]'', ''[[Finding Nemo]]'', and ''[[The Incredibles]]'', fully under Disney's ownership. The acquisition also brought [[Steve Jobs]], Pixar's majority shareholder, onto Disney's board of directors and installed Pixar leadership, including [[John Lasseter]] and [[Ed Catmull]], at the helm of [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]. This move was credited with revitalizing Disney's struggling in-house animation division.<ref name="refbiz" />


==== Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment ====
==== Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment ====


In August 2009, Disney announced its acquisition of [[Marvel Entertainment]] for approximately $4 billion. The deal gave Disney control over Marvel's extensive library of comic book characters, including [[Iron Man]], [[Spider-Man]] (subject to existing licensing arrangements), [[Captain America]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], and [[the Avengers]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney: Bob Iger's Transformation of Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Under Disney's ownership, the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) became one of the most commercially successful film franchises in history, generating billions of dollars in box office revenue and becoming a cornerstone of Disney's filmed entertainment strategy.
In August 2009, Disney announced the acquisition of [[Marvel Entertainment]] for approximately $4 billion. The deal gave Disney ownership of Marvel's vast library of comic book characters, including [[Spider-Man]], [[Iron Man]], [[Captain America]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], and the [[X-Men]], among thousands of others. The acquisition laid the groundwork for Disney to capitalize on the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]], which would become one of the highest-grossing film franchises in cinema history.<ref name="refbiz" />


==== Acquisition of Lucasfilm ====
==== Acquisition of Lucasfilm ====


In October 2012, Disney announced its acquisition of [[Lucasfilm]] for approximately $4.06 billion. The deal brought the ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' franchises under Disney ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-03-07 |title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for Star Wars |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The acquisition was negotiated directly between Iger and Lucasfilm founder [[George Lucas]]. Disney subsequently announced plans for a new trilogy of ''Star Wars'' films, the first of which, ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' (2015), earned more than $2 billion worldwide at the box office. The Lucasfilm acquisition further expanded Disney's portfolio of globally recognized intellectual properties and provided content for theme park expansions, including the ''Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge'' lands at [[Disneyland]] and [[Walt Disney World]].
In October 2012, Disney announced its acquisition of [[Lucasfilm]] from founder [[George Lucas]] for approximately $4.06 billion in a combination of cash and stock. The deal gave Disney ownership of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' franchises, among other properties.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-03-07 |title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—And Its Plans for 'Star Wars' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Disney subsequently announced plans for a new trilogy of ''Star Wars'' films, the first of which, ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'', was released in December 2015 to both critical and commercial success. The Lucasfilm acquisition also led to the development of ''Star Wars''-themed attractions at Disney's theme parks.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


==== Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets ====
==== Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets ====


In December 2017, Disney announced an agreement to acquire the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]] for approximately $52.4 billion in stock; the deal was later revised to $71.3 billion in cash and stock following a competing bid from [[Comcast]]. The transaction, completed in March 2019, was the largest acquisition in Disney's history and one of the largest media deals ever. It brought 20th Century Fox's film and television studios, the [[FX Networks|FX]] cable networks, [[National Geographic Partners]], Fox's international assets including [[Star India]], and a controlling stake in [[Hulu]] under Disney's control.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney: Bob Iger's Transformation of Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The Fox acquisition significantly expanded Disney's content library and international footprint and positioned the company to compete in the emerging streaming marketplace.
The largest acquisition of Iger's tenure came in March 2019, when Disney completed its purchase of the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]] for approximately $71.3 billion. The deal brought 20th Century Fox's film and television studios, the [[FX Networks]] cable channels, [[National Geographic Partners]], Fox's international television businesses, and a controlling stake in the [[Hulu]] streaming service under Disney's ownership. The acquisition significantly expanded Disney's content library and production capabilities and positioned the company as a dominant force in both traditional and streaming media.


==== International Theme Park Expansion ====
==== Theme Park Expansion ====


Under Iger's leadership, Disney expanded its theme park presence in East Asia. [[Hong Kong Disneyland Resort]] opened in 2005, the same year Iger became CEO.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert A. Iger — Executive Chairman |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> More significantly, Iger led the development and opening of [[Shanghai Disney Resort]] in mainland China, which opened in June 2016 after years of negotiations with the Chinese government and a construction investment of approximately $5.5 billion.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney: Bob Iger's Transformation of Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The Shanghai resort represented Disney's largest international investment and was seen as a critical step in expanding the company's reach into the world's most populous country.
Under Iger's leadership, Disney significantly expanded its theme park resort operations, particularly in East Asia. [[Hong Kong Disneyland Resort]] opened in 2005, and [[Shanghai Disney Resort]], which Iger championed as a major strategic initiative, opened in June 2016. The Shanghai resort represented one of the largest foreign investments in China's history and marked a significant expansion of Disney's international footprint.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


==== Launch of Disney+ and Streaming Strategy ====
==== Launch of Disney+ ====


In the latter years of Iger's first tenure as CEO, Disney made a major strategic pivot toward direct-to-consumer streaming services. The company launched [[Disney+]] in November 2019, entering a market dominated by [[Netflix]] and other incumbents. Disney+ offered a library of content drawn from Disney's various brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The service attracted tens of millions of subscribers in its first months of operation. Disney also took operational control of [[Hulu]] following the Fox acquisition, making it a key component of the company's streaming portfolio.
Iger was a central figure in Disney's push into the direct-to-consumer streaming business. In November 2019, Disney launched [[Disney+]], a subscription streaming service featuring content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The service attracted millions of subscribers in its first year and signaled a major strategic shift for the company toward digital distribution. Combined with Disney's majority ownership of Hulu and the ESPN+ service, the launch of Disney+ established Disney as a major competitor in the streaming wars alongside [[Netflix]], [[Amazon Prime Video]], and others.


==== Contract Extensions and Succession Challenges ====
==== Contract Extensions ====


Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times during his first tenure. In 2014, Disney extended his contract through June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014 |title=Disney Extends Bob Iger Contract Through 2018 |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney Extends Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The question of CEO succession became a recurring subject of industry discussion throughout his tenure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney's Dilemma: Can Bob Iger Ever Find a Successor? |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-dilemma-can-bob-iger-ever-find-a-successor-989599 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger was further extended in his role on multiple occasions, with the company citing the importance of continuity and the complexity of ongoing strategic initiatives. He eventually stepped down as CEO on February 25, 2020, at which point [[Bob Chapek]], then head of Disney's parks, experiences, and products division, was named as his successor.
Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times over the course of his tenure. In 2014, Disney extended his contract through June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney extends Bob Iger contract through 2018 |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney Extends Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The question of succession became a recurring topic among analysts and the media, with reports noting the difficulty Disney faced in identifying a suitable replacement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney's Dilemma: Can Bob Iger Ever Find a Successor? |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-dilemma-can-bob-iger-ever-find-a-successor-989599 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His contract was further extended through 2019 and then through 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney CEO succession |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disney-ceo-idUSKBN16U23I |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021) ===
=== Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021) ===


After stepping down as CEO in February 2020, Iger remained with Disney as executive chairman, a role in which he was tasked with overseeing creative direction and guiding the company during the transition to new leadership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert A. Iger — Executive Chairman |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His tenure as executive chairman coincided with the onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which severely disrupted Disney's theme park, cruise line, and theatrical film businesses. Iger formally retired from Disney on December 31, 2021.
On February 25, 2020, Disney announced that Iger would step down as CEO, effective immediately, and that [[Bob Chapek]], then chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, would succeed him. Iger remained with the company as executive chairman, overseeing creative endeavors and the board of directors, through the end of 2021. His formal retirement from The Walt Disney Company took effect on December 31, 2021.<ref name="refbiz" />


=== Return as CEO (2022–2026) ===
=== Return as CEO (2022–2026) ===


On November 20, 2022, Disney's board of directors dismissed Bob Chapek as CEO and asked Iger to return to lead the company. The board cited the need for experienced leadership during a period of financial and operational challenges, including significant losses in the streaming business and a decline in the company's stock price.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
On November 20, 2022, Disney's board of directors announced that Iger would return to the company as CEO, replacing Chapek, who was dismissed. The board cited the need for experienced leadership during a challenging period for the company, which was facing declining stock performance, losses in its streaming business, and internal organizational issues. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract through 2026.<ref name="cnn2026" />


Upon his return, Iger implemented a corporate restructuring, announced significant cost-cutting measures, and refocused the company's strategy around profitability in its streaming operations. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract through 2026.
During his second tenure, Iger undertook a significant restructuring of Disney's operations, implemented cost-cutting measures, and refocused the company's strategy. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger's successor would be [[Josh D'Amaro]], the chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, with the transition scheduled for March 18, 2026.<ref name="cnn2026" /> Reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to step down before his contract expired.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfBDy0nXVWoMzEmoMJUqGtVoQsm6jEMk19htWS1VVLwAcJ18kZM2fwZ&gaa_ts=699cf6ad&gaa_sig=AKxzi2xihwyR9uKUMO3hyP8HcWzg7Jpa_-GdQf28AsulDJ7Mu_dmDs3dDN63SHvaJegy9QIKSO7y4PNMkeQxUA%3D%3D |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In early 2026, Iger indicated to associates that he planned to step down as CEO before his contract expired.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> On February 3, 2026, Disney announced that [[Josh D'Amaro]], who had been leading the company's parks, experiences, and products division, would succeed Iger as CEO on March 18, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The choice of D'Amaro was scrutinized by some shareholders, including activist investor [[Nelson Peltz]], who accused Iger of influencing the succession process.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Nelson Peltz Accuses Bob Iger of Backing Josh D'Amaro as CEO to Retain Power at Disney |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nelson-peltz-accuses-bob-iger-josh-damaro-disney-1236651272/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The selection of D'Amaro drew criticism from activist investor [[Nelson Peltz]], who accused Iger of manipulating the succession plan to retain influence at the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Nelson Peltz Accuses Bob Iger of Backing Josh D'Amaro as CEO to Retain Power at Disney |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nelson-peltz-accuses-bob-iger-josh-damaro-disney-1236651272/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


During his final weeks as CEO, Iger announced a partnership between Disney and [[OpenAI]] to integrate AI-generated video content, created with OpenAI's Sora tool, onto the Disney+ platform. Iger stated that the AI-created content would not affect Disney's other programming commitments.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Disney's OpenAI Video Pact Will Not Affect Its Other Programming, CEO Bob Iger Says |url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/disney-openai-sora-video-bob-iger-1236705948/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
During the final months of his second tenure, Iger also oversaw Disney's partnership with [[OpenAI]] to integrate AI-generated video content via OpenAI's Sora tool into the Disney+ platform, stating that the arrangement would not affect Disney's other programming.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Disney's OpenAI Video Pact Will Not Affect Its Other Programming, CEO Bob Iger Says |url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/disney-openai-sora-video-bob-iger-1236705948/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In February 2026, Iger was reported as a potential replacement for [[Casey Wasserman]] as chair of the [[2028 Summer Olympics|LA28 Olympic Games]] organizing committee.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Report: Bob Iger floated as potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as LA28 chair |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/02/23/report-bob-iger-floated-as-potential-replacement-for-casey-wasserman-as-la28-chair/ |work=Sports Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As of February 2026, Iger has also been floated as a potential replacement for [[Casey Wasserman]] as chair of the [[2028 Summer Olympics|LA28 Olympic]] organizing committee.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Report: Bob Iger floated as potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as LA28 chair |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/02/23/report-bob-iger-floated-as-potential-replacement-for-casey-wasserman-as-la28-chair/ |work=Sports Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Political Activities ===
=== Political Activities ===


In June 2017, Iger resigned from [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]]'s business advisory council following the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the [[Paris Agreement]] on climate change.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-06-01 |title=Disney CEO Bob Iger Resigns From Trump's Advisory Council Over Paris Accord Decision |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger had been the subject of periodic speculation about a potential run for political office, including the U.S. presidency, though he never formally entered politics as a candidate.
In June 2017, Iger resigned from President [[Donald Trump]]'s business advisory council following the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the [[Paris Agreement]] on climate change.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-06-01 |title=Disney CEO Bob Iger Resigns From Trump's Advisory Council Over Paris Accord Decision |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger had previously been reported as a supporter of [[Hillary Clinton]]'s presidential campaigns, hosting fundraising events in [[Beverly Hills, California]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills |url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/ |work=Beverly Hills Courier |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Iger married Susan Iger in 1977; the couple divorced in 1994. They have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger, who married Jarrod Cushing in September 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-09-25 |title=Kathleen Iger and Jarrod Cushing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/fashion/weddings/kathleen-iger-and-jarrod-cushing.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger was married to his first wife, Susan Iger, from 1977 until their divorce in 1994. The couple have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger, whose 2005 wedding was reported in ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-09-25 |title=Kathleen Iger and Jarrod Cushing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/fashion/weddings/kathleen-iger-and-jarrod-cushing.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In October 1995, Iger married [[Willow Bay]], a journalist and television personality who later became dean of the [[USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism]].<ref>{{cite news |date=1995-10-08 |title=Willow Bay and Robert Iger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The couple has two sons together and resides in [[Los Angeles]], California.
In 1995, Iger married [[Willow Bay]], a journalist and television personality who later became dean of the [[USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism]]. Their wedding was reported in ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news |date=1995-10-08 |title=Willow Bay and Robert Iger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger and Bay have two sons together.
 
Iger is the author of ''The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company'', a memoir published in 2019 that chronicled his career and outlined his leadership principles.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


During his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors for his leadership in the media and entertainment industry. He has been recognized with an [[Emmy Award]] for his contributions to the television industry. In recognition of his role in strengthening the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom through the entertainment industry, Iger was made an Honorary [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (KBE).
During his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors for his leadership in the media industry. He has been named to the ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' 100 list of the most influential people in the world on multiple occasions. He has also received [[Emmy Award]] recognition for his contributions to the television industry.


Iger has appeared on numerous lists of influential business leaders. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine included him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. He has served on various boards and advisory organizations throughout his career.
Iger's acquisitions strategy at Disney — bringing Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox under the Disney corporate umbrella — has been the subject of extensive analysis and commentary in the business and entertainment press. During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Disney's market capitalization increased from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion, a metric frequently cited in evaluations of his stewardship of the company.<ref name="refbiz" />


His record of acquisitions—Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Fox—transformed the competitive landscape of the entertainment industry and established a model for intellectual-property-driven corporate strategy that was emulated by competitors across the media sector.
His appearances have been documented on C-SPAN, where he has participated in various public events and discussions related to the media industry and business leadership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger |url=http://www.c-span.org/person/?robertiger |publisher=C-SPAN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Iger's tenure as CEO of Disney is defined by a series of large-scale acquisitions that fundamentally reshaped the company and the broader entertainment industry. The purchases of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox collectively assembled what became the most extensive portfolio of commercially valuable intellectual properties in the media business. Under Iger's leadership, Disney's market capitalization grew from approximately $56 billion in 2005 to $231 billion by 2020, reflecting the financial impact of these acquisitions and the broader strategic direction he set for the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney: Bob Iger's Transformation of Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger's tenure at Disney reshaped the company from a media conglomerate reliant primarily on its legacy animation and theme park businesses into a diversified entertainment powerhouse with dominant positions in film, television, streaming, and live entertainment. The four major acquisitions he led — Pixar (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019) — collectively cost approximately $86.8 billion and brought some of the most valuable intellectual properties in entertainment under a single corporate roof.


The launch of Disney+ and the company's pivot toward direct-to-consumer streaming represented a significant strategic shift that aligned Disney with the changing patterns of media consumption. The expansion of Disney's theme park footprint into mainland China through Shanghai Disney Resort opened a new market for the company and represented one of the largest foreign direct investments in China's entertainment sector.
The transition to streaming under Iger's direction, culminating in the launch of Disney+ in 2019, represented a fundamental shift in Disney's business model and a recognition of the changing landscape of media consumption. His decision to return as CEO in 2022, after the brief and turbulent tenure of his successor Bob Chapek, underscored both the challenges of leadership succession at major corporations and Iger's centrality to Disney's identity and strategy during the 21st century.


Iger's return to the CEO role in 2022, after less than a year of formal retirement, was an unusual event in corporate America and underscored the board's assessment of his importance to the company's direction. His second tenure focused on financial discipline, organizational restructuring, and the resolution of the succession question that had long been a subject of discussion among investors and industry observers.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Bob Iger once fought to keep control at Disney. This time, he's stepping aside early. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bob-iger-stepped-down-early-josh-damaro-disney-ceo-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As Iger prepares to hand the CEO role to Josh D'Amaro in March 2026, his departure marks the end of an era in which a single executive's strategic vision guided Disney through some of the most significant transformations in the company's nearly century-long history.<ref name="cnn2026" /><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Bob Iger once fought to keep control at Disney. This time, he's stepping aside early. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bob-iger-stepped-down-early-josh-damaro-disney-ceo-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
The question of Iger's long-term legacy is closely linked to the performance of Disney under his successors and the sustainability of the strategic investments made during his tenure. The company he shaped—built on branded intellectual properties, international theme parks, and a streaming platform—remains at the center of the global entertainment industry.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 140: Line 132:
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from New York City]]
[[Category:Ithaca College alumni]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Company executives]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:The Walt Disney Company executives]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company]]
[[Category:Ithaca College alumni]]
[[Category:People from New York City]]
[[Category:American media executives]]
[[Category:American media executives]]
 
<html><script type="application/ld+json">
<noinclude><script type="application/ld+json">
{
{
   "@context": "https://schema.org",
   "@context": "https://schema.org",
   "@type": "Person",
   "@type": "Person",
   "name": "Bob Iger",
   "name": "Bob Iger",
  "birthName": "Robert Alan Iger",
   "description": "CEO of The Walt Disney Company",
  "birthDate": "1951-02-10",
   "sameAs": [
  "birthPlace": {
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Iger"
    "@type": "Place",
  ]
    "name": "New York City, New York, U.S."
  },
  "nationality": "American",
  "jobTitle": "Chief Executive Officer",
  "worksFor": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "The Walt Disney Company"
  },
  "alumniOf": {
    "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
    "name": "Ithaca College"
  },
   "description": "American media executive and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, known for overseeing the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.",
   "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Iger"
}
}
</script></noinclude>
</script></html>

Latest revision as of 01:45, 24 February 2026

Bob Iger
BornRobert Alan Iger
10 2, 1951
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMedia executive
TitleChief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Known forCEO of The Walt Disney Company
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. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in the media industry, Iger rose from a studio supervisor at a local television station to lead one of the largest entertainment conglomerates in the world. He served as president of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from 1994 to 1995, and as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996.[1] Named president of Disney in 2000, Iger succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO in 2005, a position he held until 2020.[2][3] During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Iger oversaw the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox, and the company's market capitalization grew from $56 billion to $231 billion. After serving as executive chairman until his formal retirement on December 31, 2021, Iger returned to the CEO role on November 20, 2022, following the dismissal of his successor, Bob Chapek. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger would be succeeded as CEO by Josh D'Amaro on March 18, 2026.[4]

Early Life

Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City, New York.[1] He grew up on Long Island, where he attended local schools. Details regarding his parents and family background indicate a middle-class upbringing in the New York metropolitan area.[1]

Iger developed an interest in media and broadcasting from a young age. After completing his secondary education on Long Island, he pursued higher education at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio.[1] His time at Ithaca College provided him with foundational experience in the broadcasting industry that would shape his subsequent career trajectory.

Education

Iger attended Ithaca College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in television and radio from the Roy H. Park School of Communications.[1] His education at Ithaca College provided practical training in broadcast media, which served as a launching point for his entry into the television industry upon graduation.

Career

Early Television Career

Iger began his career in television in 1972 as a studio supervisor at a local cable television station in Ithaca, New York.[1] He subsequently joined the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), where he would spend the next two and a half decades rising through the organization's ranks. At ABC, Iger held a series of progressively senior positions across the network's various divisions.

In 1989, ABC named Iger as president of ABC Entertainment, a significant promotion that placed him in charge of the network's programming strategy.[5] In this role, Iger oversaw the network's prime-time and daytime programming schedules and was responsible for guiding ABC's content strategy during a competitive period in broadcast television.

President of ABC and Capital Cities/ABC

By 1993, Iger had been elevated to a broader leadership role at ABC, overseeing multiple divisions within the company as the network restructured its operations.[6] He was named president of ABC in 1994, and following the merger with Capital Cities Communications, served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC from 1995.[1]

Iger's tenure at Capital Cities/ABC coincided with a transformative period in the media industry. In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC in a landmark deal, bringing the ABC television network, its owned-and-operated stations, the ESPN cable sports networks, and other media properties under the Disney corporate umbrella. Following the acquisition, Iger continued in senior leadership roles within Disney's media networks division, serving as chairman of the ABC Group and president of Walt Disney International.[1]

Rise to Disney CEO

In January 2000, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company, placing him as the second-ranking executive at the corporation behind then-CEO Michael Eisner.[2] This appointment positioned Iger as a potential successor to Eisner, though the succession question would not be resolved for several years.

The early 2000s were a turbulent period for Disney. Eisner faced a shareholder revolt led by former board members Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold, who launched a "Save Disney" campaign criticizing Eisner's management of the company. In the midst of this internal upheaval, Disney's board of directors selected Iger to succeed Eisner as CEO, effective October 1, 2005.[3] The appointment was met with some skepticism from analysts and observers who questioned whether Iger, as Eisner's handpicked deputy, would chart a sufficiently different course for the company.[7]

First Tenure as CEO (2005–2020)

Iger's initial tenure as CEO of Disney was defined by a series of large-scale acquisitions that fundamentally reshaped the company's portfolio of intellectual properties and its position in the entertainment industry.

Acquisition of Pixar

One of Iger's first major strategic moves was the acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios in 2006 for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction. The deal brought Pixar's acclaimed animation talent and technology, as well as franchises such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles, fully under Disney's ownership. The acquisition also brought Steve Jobs, Pixar's majority shareholder, onto Disney's board of directors and installed Pixar leadership, including John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, at the helm of Walt Disney Animation Studios. This move was credited with revitalizing Disney's struggling in-house animation division.[1]

Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment

In August 2009, Disney announced the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment for approximately $4 billion. The deal gave Disney ownership of Marvel's vast library of comic book characters, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the X-Men, among thousands of others. The acquisition laid the groundwork for Disney to capitalize on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which would become one of the highest-grossing film franchises in cinema history.[1]

Acquisition of Lucasfilm

In October 2012, Disney announced its acquisition of Lucasfilm from founder George Lucas for approximately $4.06 billion in a combination of cash and stock. The deal gave Disney ownership of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, among other properties.[8] Disney subsequently announced plans for a new trilogy of Star Wars films, the first of which, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was released in December 2015 to both critical and commercial success. The Lucasfilm acquisition also led to the development of Star Wars-themed attractions at Disney's theme parks.[9]

Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets

The largest acquisition of Iger's tenure came in March 2019, when Disney completed its purchase of the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox for approximately $71.3 billion. The deal brought 20th Century Fox's film and television studios, the FX Networks cable channels, National Geographic Partners, Fox's international television businesses, and a controlling stake in the Hulu streaming service under Disney's ownership. The acquisition significantly expanded Disney's content library and production capabilities and positioned the company as a dominant force in both traditional and streaming media.

Theme Park Expansion

Under Iger's leadership, Disney significantly expanded its theme park resort operations, particularly in East Asia. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort opened in 2005, and Shanghai Disney Resort, which Iger championed as a major strategic initiative, opened in June 2016. The Shanghai resort represented one of the largest foreign investments in China's history and marked a significant expansion of Disney's international footprint.[10]

Launch of Disney+

Iger was a central figure in Disney's push into the direct-to-consumer streaming business. In November 2019, Disney launched Disney+, a subscription streaming service featuring content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The service attracted millions of subscribers in its first year and signaled a major strategic shift for the company toward digital distribution. Combined with Disney's majority ownership of Hulu and the ESPN+ service, the launch of Disney+ established Disney as a major competitor in the streaming wars alongside Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others.

Contract Extensions

Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times over the course of his tenure. In 2014, Disney extended his contract through June 2018.[11][12] The question of succession became a recurring topic among analysts and the media, with reports noting the difficulty Disney faced in identifying a suitable replacement.[13] His contract was further extended through 2019 and then through 2021.[14]

Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021)

On February 25, 2020, Disney announced that Iger would step down as CEO, effective immediately, and that Bob Chapek, then chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, would succeed him. Iger remained with the company as executive chairman, overseeing creative endeavors and the board of directors, through the end of 2021. His formal retirement from The Walt Disney Company took effect on December 31, 2021.[1]

Return as CEO (2022–2026)

On November 20, 2022, Disney's board of directors announced that Iger would return to the company as CEO, replacing Chapek, who was dismissed. The board cited the need for experienced leadership during a challenging period for the company, which was facing declining stock performance, losses in its streaming business, and internal organizational issues. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract through 2026.[4]

During his second tenure, Iger undertook a significant restructuring of Disney's operations, implemented cost-cutting measures, and refocused the company's strategy. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger's successor would be Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, with the transition scheduled for March 18, 2026.[4] Reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to step down before his contract expired.[15]

The selection of D'Amaro drew criticism from activist investor Nelson Peltz, who accused Iger of manipulating the succession plan to retain influence at the company.[16]

During the final months of his second tenure, Iger also oversaw Disney's partnership with OpenAI to integrate AI-generated video content via OpenAI's Sora tool into the Disney+ platform, stating that the arrangement would not affect Disney's other programming.[17]

As of February 2026, Iger has also been floated as a potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as chair of the LA28 Olympic organizing committee.[18]

Political Activities

In June 2017, Iger resigned from President Donald Trump's business advisory council following the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change.[19] Iger had previously been reported as a supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns, hosting fundraising events in Beverly Hills, California.[20]

Personal Life

Iger was married to his first wife, Susan Iger, from 1977 until their divorce in 1994. The couple have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger, whose 2005 wedding was reported in The New York Times.[21]

In 1995, Iger married Willow Bay, a journalist and television personality who later became dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Their wedding was reported in The New York Times.[22] Iger and Bay have two sons together.

Recognition

During his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors for his leadership in the media industry. He has been named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world on multiple occasions. He has also received Emmy Award recognition for his contributions to the television industry.

Iger's acquisitions strategy at Disney — bringing Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox under the Disney corporate umbrella — has been the subject of extensive analysis and commentary in the business and entertainment press. During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Disney's market capitalization increased from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion, a metric frequently cited in evaluations of his stewardship of the company.[1]

His appearances have been documented on C-SPAN, where he has participated in various public events and discussions related to the media industry and business leadership.[23]

Legacy

Iger's tenure at Disney reshaped the company from a media conglomerate reliant primarily on its legacy animation and theme park businesses into a diversified entertainment powerhouse with dominant positions in film, television, streaming, and live entertainment. The four major acquisitions he led — Pixar (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019) — collectively cost approximately $86.8 billion and brought some of the most valuable intellectual properties in entertainment under a single corporate roof.

The transition to streaming under Iger's direction, culminating in the launch of Disney+ in 2019, represented a fundamental shift in Disney's business model and a recognition of the changing landscape of media consumption. His decision to return as CEO in 2022, after the brief and turbulent tenure of his successor Bob Chapek, underscored both the challenges of leadership succession at major corporations and Iger's centrality to Disney's identity and strategy during the 21st century.

As Iger prepares to hand the CEO role to Josh D'Amaro in March 2026, his departure marks the end of an era in which a single executive's strategic vision guided Disney through some of the most significant transformations in the company's nearly century-long history.[4][24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Robert Iger 1951– Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "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.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Disney Names Iger as New Chief".The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "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.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "ABC ups Iger, regroups divisions".Variety.1993.https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Bob Iger's dilemma".The Economist.http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "Disney extends Bob Iger contract through 2018".Variety.2014-10-02.https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "Disney CEO succession".Reuters.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disney-ceo-idUSKBN16U23I.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "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?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfBDy0nXVWoMzEmoMJUqGtVoQsm6jEMk19htWS1VVLwAcJ18kZM2fwZ&gaa_ts=699cf6ad&gaa_sig=AKxzi2xihwyR9uKUMO3hyP8HcWzg7Jpa_-GdQf28AsulDJ7Mu_dmDs3dDN63SHvaJegy9QIKSO7y4PNMkeQxUA%3D%3D.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "Robert Iger".C-SPAN.http://www.c-span.org/person/?robertiger.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "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.

Retrieved from "https://biography.wiki/index.php?title=Bob_Iger&oldid=131"