Robert Allen "Bob" Iger is the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. He served as president from 2000–2021, and CEO from 2005–2020, replacing Michael Eisner. He was the president of ABC in 1994 and remained president when Disney bought it in 1996; he resigned from the role in 1999 to oversee Disney's international operations.
He oversaw the acquisition of Pixar in 2006, following a period of strained relations with the animation studio. He also led the company to acquire Marvel Entertainment in 2009, Lucasfilm in 2012, and 21st Century Fox in 2017, further broadening the Walt Disney Company's character franchises.
On February 25, 2020, Iger announced he would step down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company with immediate effect, and named Bob Chapek of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, as his successor, making him the 7th CEO in the company's history. Iger continued to serve as Executive Chairman on Disney's Board of Directors through the end of his contract with the company on December 31, 2021 to assist Chapek with the transition, after which Susan Arnold succeeded Iger. He was reportedly given the bell off the E. P. Ripley (Disneyland Railroad No. 2) as a retirement gift, necessitating a new bell when the locomotive finally re-entered service in 2023.
In an unexpected turn of events, on November 20, 2022, it was announced that Iger would return as CEO after Chapek's employment as CEO was terminated suddenly due to a multitude of reasons, and that Iger will serve an additional two years in office. On July 11, 2023, his term was once again extended until December 31, 2026, allowing a full succession plan to be executed.
