The era of Bob Chapek may be long gone, but the former CEO’s impact on The Walt Disney Company can still be felt in a number of ways. Under Chapek, Disney adopted new business strategies and models for both its streaming and movie divisions, as well as its theme parks.
Things like Disney Genie+ forever altered the way Disney’s theme parks worked and operated. Bob Iger now once again is leading the company, though the longtime CEO will depart from his post for the final time in 2026.
There was reportedly lots of tension and drama between Iger and Chapek. However, what a former Disney CEO had to say about Chapek may surprise you.
In an interview with Deadline from 2022, former CEO Michael Eisner gave his thoughts on Disney’s controversial leading man.
“I am a big fan of Disney. I am a fan of both Bobs. Yes I hired him [Chapek]. Is he the same executive as I am, or Bob [Iger] is, or anybody is? He is his own guy. He was very good at Disney when I was there. He took our home video business from a rental to a sell-through business. That was very risky. He did a very good job in the parks. I am a shareholder. I think he’s going to do very well,”
Bob Chapek took over the reins of CEO from Bob Iger in early 2020. When asked about what the future could hold for Iger, Eisner had this to say:
“We’ve talked about it,” Eisner said. “Having 50 unanswered emails, and seven scripts you haven’t read and 30 phone calls you haven’t returned… Getting off that treadmill is not a horrible thing. I think he is interested in writing another book, looking at his opportunities. He is not 25 years old, as I’m not. Between ABC and Disney, he spent many years at one institution. I think he is coming up for air and you will hear about him and things he will be doing and his wife Willow [Bay] will be doing in the future.”
Michael Eisner pivoted to the Walt Disney Company as CEO in 1984, coming off of an already successful career at Paramount Pictures, one of Disney’s biggest rivals. Eisner served as CEO of the Disney Company until 2005 when he was replaced by Bob Iger.
Eisner green lit entire parks such as Disney California Adventure, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Paris (then called Euro Disneyland), and Hong Kong Disneyland. Eisner is remembered for his bold creative decisions that ultimately helped get the Walt Disney Company out of the financial trouble that they were in just before he joined the company.
Michael Eisner was also known for taking risks as well, like the ill-fated ExtraTERRORestrial Alein Encounter at the Magic Kingdom.
How do you feel about Bob Chapek’s role as Disney CEO? What do you miss most about Michael Eisner? Let us know in the comments below!
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Credit: Disney
