Bob Iger

Robert Allen "Bob" Iger was born February 10, 1951, in Oceanside, New York. He graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science degree in television and radio. Known for his even keeled demeanor and nose-to-the-grindstone work mentality, Iger was not always the first choice to replace longtime Disney head Michael Eisner, yet he succeeded as a highly effective and visionary media executive.

Career History

• 1974: Joined American Broadcasting Company (ABC) as production staff
• 1989: Named head of ABC Entertainment
• 1994-1995: President of ABC Television
• 1995-1996: President and Chief Operating Officer of Capital Cities/ABC
• 1999: Named President of Walt Disney International
• 2000-2005: President and Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company
• 2005-2020: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of The Walt Disney Company
• 2020-2021: Executive Chairman
• 2022-2026: Returned as CEO
• March 2026-Present: Senior Advisor and Board Member

Under Iger's leadership, Disney led major acquisitions of Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion, Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.06 billion, and the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox in 2019 for $71.3 billion. Iger oversaw an increase of the company's market capitalization from $56 billion to $231 billion during his initial 15-year stewardship. By 2014, Disney had grossed more than the $4 billion Marvel acquisition cost at the box office through Marvel movies. He helped position Disney as an industry leader through its creative content offerings across multiple new platforms, including the highly successful launch of the Disney+ streaming service in November 2019.

In January 2026, Iger announced he intended to leave the CEO role before his contract ended, officially stepping down as CEO at the company's annual meeting on March 18, 2026, while staying on as senior advisor and board member until the end of the year. What Bob Iger could bring to the Senior Advisor role at The Walt Disney Company: With nearly five decades of media experience and two decades as CEO, Iger brings unparalleled strategic vision and crisis management expertise. His documented ability to identify transformational acquisition opportunities, navigate complex corporate mergers, and maintain creative excellence while driving shareholder value positions him uniquely to mentor Disney's next generation of leadership and guide the company through evolving entertainment industry challenges.