Bob iger biography

Bob Iger came to Ithaca College thinking he wanted to be a sportscaster. He got that opportunity on ICTV, but as he tells our students in his annual Skype into their S'Park class, he quickly learned that others were better at it than he was. However, he also discovered an unknown passion and talent in producing television—and as he likes to say, “it didn't turn out too bad!”

As Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Iger heads a $98.6 billion worldwide company that includes the iconic Disney Studios, ABC, ESPN, Disney Parks and Resorts, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. 

Iger officially joined the Disney senior management team in 1996 as Chairman of the Disney-owned ABC Group and in 1999 was given the additional responsibility of President, Walt Disney International. As Chairman of the ABC Group, Iger oversaw the broadcast television network and station group, cable television properties, and radio and publishing businesses and guided the complex merger between Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and The Walt Disney Company. During Iger’s years with ABC, he obtained hands-on experience in every aspect of the television business—including news, sports, and entertainment—as well as program acquisition, rights negotiations, and business affairs. He began his career at ABC in 1974, right after graduating with his TVR degree.

Iger has been named one of the “World’s Most Powerful People” by Forbes magazine (2018); one of Fortune magazine's “25 Most Powerful People in Business” (2006, 2007); one of the “Top Gun CEOs” by Forbes magazine (2009); one of the “Best CEOs” by Institutional Investor magazine (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011); MarketWatch CEO of the Year by MarketWatch (2006); and “CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive (2014).

But he's never forgotten his IC roots—he graciously hosts IC events at Disney and regularly Skypes into our classes.

Robert Alan Iger is Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, having returned to the company in November of 2022 after serving as CEO and Chairman from 2005 to 2020, and then as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board through 2021.

Since returning as CEO, Mr. Iger has led a significant, enterprise-wide transformation to restore creativity to the center of the company and position Disney’s streaming business for sustained growth and profitability. During his more than 15 years at the helm of Disney, Mr. Iger has served as steward of the world’s most respected and beloved brands. His strategic vision focuses on three fundamental pillars: generating the best creative content possible; fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology; and expanding into new markets across the globe.

Widely recognized as one of the world’s most consequential business leaders, Mr. Iger has built on Disney’s rich history of unforgettable storytelling with the acquisitions of Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019); the landmark opening of Disney’s first theme park and resort in mainland China, Shanghai Disney Resort; and the release of a number of record-setting films, including Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, Disney’s Frozen and Frozen2, and Marvel’s groundbreaking Black Panther. Always one to embrace new technology, Mr. Iger made Disney 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.

Disney’s exceptional entertainment experiences, widely diverse content, and Iger’s unique skill in managing businesses in an integrated manner led to strong results. During Mr. Iger’s tenure, The Walt Disney Company has been recognized as one of the “Most Reputable Companies” in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2006&nd

Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company

Born Robert A. Iger, February 10, 1951, in Ocean-side, NY; son of Arthur (a professor and business executive) and Mimi (a teaching assistant) Iger; married first wife (divorced); married Willow Bay (a television journalist and model), October 7, 1995; children: Katie, Amanda (from first marriage), Robert Maxwell, Will (from second marriage). Education: Ithaca College, undergraduate degree (magna cum laude).

Addresses:Office —c/o The Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-0001.

Career

Television news weatherman, Ithaca, NY; ABC, studio supervisor, New York, NY, 1974-76; ABC Sports, management positions, 1976-84, then vice president in charge of program planning and development, 1985-87, vice president of programming, 1987-88; executive vice president, ABC, 1988-89; president and chief operating officer, ABC Entertainment, 1989-93; president, ABC Television Network Group, 1993-94; president and chief operating officer, ABC, 1994-99; chair, ABC Group, 1999; president, Walt Disney International, 1999-2005; Walt Disney Company, president and chief operating officer, 2000-04, chief executive officer, 2005—.

Member:American Film Institute Board, trustee; Museum of Television and Radio, trustee; Ithaca College, trustee; Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, member of board.

Sidelights

After spending nearly the whole of his career with ABC and the company that later bought the network, the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger was named the chief executive officer (CEO) of Walt Disney Company in 2005. 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. Nonetheless, when he was selected, George J. Mitchell, chair of Disney's board, was quoted by Business Wire as saying, "Bob is an experienced, talented and visionary leader who has made crucial and substantial contribu

Robert Allen "Bob" Iger (; born February 10, 1951) is an American businessman. He was the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company from 2005 to 2020.

Before Disney, Iger served as the president of ABC Television from 1994 to 1995 and the president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. from 1995 until Disney's acquisition of the company in 1996.

He was named president and COO of Disney in 2000, and later succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO in 2005, after a successful effort by Roy E. Disney to shake-up the management of the company. As part of his yearly compensation, Iger earned $44.9 million in the year 2015.

On February 25, 2020, Iger announced his retirement as the CEO of Disney.

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