Robert A. Iger

Robert Alan Iger, born on February 10, 1951, is a prominent American media executive best known for his role as the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. His career in media began with a pivotal role as president of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from 1994 to 1995, followed by his tenure as president and chief operating officer of Capital Cities/ABC until its acquisition by Disney in 1996. Iger ascended to the presidency of Disney in 2000 and took the helm as CEO in 2005, a position he held until 2020. He transitioned to executive chairman before retiring on December 31, 2021. However, he returned as CEO on November 20, 2022, at the request of Disney's board, after his successor Bob Chapek was dismissed. In July 2023, Iger's contract was extended through 2026.

Iger's leadership is characterized by his visionary approach, significantly enhancing Disney's portfolio of intellectual properties and expanding its global footprint. Under his guidance, Disney's market capitalization soared from $56 billion to $231 billion over a span of 15 years. He orchestrated landmark acquisitions, including Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion, Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.06 billion, and 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets in 2019 for $71.3 billion. Iger also played a crucial role in the development of Disney's theme parks, launching Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in 2005 and Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016, and revitalizing Disney Animation Studios while bolstering its direct-to-consumer strategies with platforms like Disney+ and Hulu.