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Disney's Bob Iger Steps Down From CEO Role, Staying On As Chairman
Bob Iger and Bob Chapek at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. (Courtesy Disney)
Disney CEO Bob Iger stepped down from his role as CEO Tuesday, though he will be continuing with Disney as executive chairman through the end of 2021. Iger is fresh off launching the Disney+ streaming service and acquiring 21st Century Fox.
His new position will focus on overseeing Disney's creative side, according to a company press release. It also notes that he'll be helping to ensure a smooth transition through the end of his contract next year. Under Iger's tenure, Disney has been big on acquisitions, also acquiring Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.
Another Bob — Bob Chapek — is taking over the CEO role. Chapek was most recently chairman of Disney theme parks and resorts; he also worked previously on the studio side. Chapek oversaw the opening of Shanghai Disney and the (somewhat rocky) addition of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to Disney theme parks. He's the seventh CEO in Disney company history, stepping into a position Iger held for the past 15 years.
Disney's board has been working on an Iger succession plan for several years, according to the release; he announced last year that he would be stepping down at the end of 2021.
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