Disney's CEO succession: A timeline of key events

Walt Disney Co. named a caller main enforcement this week, tapping taxable parks seasoned Josh D’Amaro arsenic its caller leader.

D’Amaro succeeds Bob Iger, who is expected to discontinue connected Dec. 31 erstwhile his declaration expires aft astir 2 decades connected the job.

The contented of firm succession has been a fraught 1 astatine Disney — and the taxable of aggravated speculation crossed Hollywood successful caller years.

Here’s a look astatine cardinal developments successful the succession drama:

Bob Chapek Named Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company

(Business Wire)

Feb. 25, 2020: Chapek named CEO

Disney announces that Bob Chapek, a 27-year Disney seasoned who led the company’s massively important parks and user products business, would win Iger.

Chapek, 60, was 1 of respective apical Disney executives who were imaginable successors, including Disney direct-to-consumer president Kevin Mayer, who oversaw the palmy motorboat of streaming work Disney+.

But the announcement contained a wrinkle: Iger wasn’t leaving the institution — astatine slightest not close away. He would presume the relation of enforcement chairman, starring the company’s originative endeavors, portion guiding the enactment modulation until the extremity of his declaration connected Dec. 31. 2021.

In this Sept. 11, 2015, record photo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Bob Chapek poses with Minnie Mouse during a ceremonial astatine the Hong Kong Disneyland, arsenic they observe the Hong Kong Disneyland’s 10th anniversary.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Nov. 20, 2022: Chapek fired, Iger returns

Disney’s committee fires Chapek aft little than 3 years connected the occupation and asks Iger to service 2 further years arsenic main executive, postponing his exit.

The stunning announcement came aft a bid of missteps and miscalculations by Chapek, Iger’s hand-picked successor, that raised questions astir his leadership.

Directors were said to beryllium progressively impatient with the company’s shaky fiscal show and organizational changes Chapek made astatine the Mouse House.

“The committee came to the decision they were losing the bosom and psyche of the company,” 1 longtime Disney perceiver who was not authorized to remark publically said astatine the time.

(Jim Cooke/Los Angeles Times; Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

July 12, 2023: Board extends Iger’s declaration amid challenges

Disney’s committee decides to support Iger successful the apical occupation done December 2026, erstwhile again delaying his retirement.

The determination is simply a designation of the superior challenges facing the company. Among them: struggles successful animated movies, dependable subscriber losses astatine sports elephantine ESPN and governmental and taste battles with conservatives successful Florida.

Iger moves swiftly to chopped costs and eliminates thousands of jobs crossed the company. He besides directs the institution to dilatory down accumulation of films and TV shows to absorption connected quality.

James Gorman, past president and main enforcement of Morgan Stanley, successful Davos, Switzerland, connected Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.

(Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Oct. 21, 2024: Board taps Gorman to pb succession

After the fiasco with Chapek, Disney turns to idiosyncratic with a way grounds of palmy succession readying astatine Morgan Stanley: James Gorman.

Gorman is named the caller president of the company’s committee of directors, replacing Nike Chief Executive Mark Parker, who leaves aft 9 years.

Facing unit from critics specified arsenic the activistic capitalist Nelson Peltz, Disney besides announces it volition prime Iger’s successor by aboriginal 2026.

Josh D’Amaro, who antecedently ran Disney’s taxable parks division, was named Disney CEO.

(Paul Morse)

February 3, 2026: Disney picks Josh D’Amaro arsenic caller CEO

Disney selects Josh D’Amaro arsenic its caller leader. D’Amaro, 54, bushed retired 3 different interior candidates for the occupation and was a Wall Street favorite.

The charismatic 28-year Disney seasoned had the borderline due to the fact that of his heavy affinity with company’s firm civilization and his occurrence successful increasing the all-important taxable parks business, which is successful the midst of an ambitious 10 year, $60-billion parks and cruise enactment expansion. He was besides a Wall Street favorite, which didn’t hurt.

Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden was named the company’s president and main originative officer.