Bob Iger's Surprising Reaction to Josh D'Amaro as Future Disney CEO

Back in February 2020, Bob Iger made the surprising announcement that he was stepping down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, a position he had held for 15 years. Bob Chapek, who at the time was the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, was catapulted into the job. Unfortunately, despite his experience and time with Disney, it was not a position he was ready to take on.

Just one month into his tenure, Chapek had to deal with the spread of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, and he was forced to shutter every Disney theme park and pause every Disney and television show currently in production. And even when he was finally able to open things up, they did not get easier, and Disney fans did not like him more.

Bob Iger and Bob Chapek in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge — Credit: Disney

Bob Chapek was Disney’s CEO for less than three years. In November 2022, Disney’s board of directors announced that it had fired Chapek and, effective immediately, Bob Iger would be stepping back into the role he knew so well.

Initially, Iger agreed to stay on as Disney CEO for two years, but in July 2023, Iger agreed to extend his contract through the end of 2026.

For months now, Iger and a special committee have been on the hunt for the best person to hold the CEO title after Iger leaves. Reports have said that Iger does not want to make the same mistake that he made when he appointed Bob Chapek his successor. He has been much more involved and wants to be certain that the person who comes after him is the absolute right person for the job.

In the months since the CEO search began, numerous names have emerged as potential successors. However, that list seems to be very short at this point, with the leading candidates being current Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro, the co-chairs of Disney Entertainment, Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, and James Pitaro, the Chairman of ESPN.

Currently, many people think that the position will go to Josh D’Amaro. However, Bob Iger does not seem to be interested in confirming that belief, and apparently even “bristled” when someone commented that D’Amaro would get the job.

Per a report from Bloomberg:

Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger was chatting at the Farmshop restaurant in Santa Monica, California, a couple weeks ago when the conversation turned tense.

His breakfast partner suggested Josh D’Amaro, head of Disney’s theme-parks division, “will do a great job when he’s appointed CEO.” Iger bristled, according to a person who witnessed the exchange. He raised his voice, saying the board hadn’t made a decision and that he had “no idea” where that notion was coming from.

Mickey Mouse and Bob Iger smile at a Disney event. — Credit: Disney

For a long time, Disney’s Parks division has been the company’s most profitable area, and D’Amaro has been leading the Disney Parks division since Chapek became CEO in 2020.

Earlier this year, D’Amaro, Walden, Bergman, and Pitaro addressed 300 Disney managers on how they will shape the future of The Walt Disney Company. D’Amaro’s presentation, of course, was about the future potential of Disney parks and experiences, and those who were in attendance found his presentation particularly “inspiring.”

Of course, some worry about appointing another person to the CEO position who held the same position as Bob Chapek. However, one of the biggest issues Chapek faced was that he didn’t particularly enjoy interacting with Disney fans and preferred to keep to himself. Mr. D’Amaro, on the other hand, is very personable and is frequently seen visiting the parks and interacting with dedicated Disney fans.

Josh D'Amaro and Frank the Porch Potato of Disneyland — Credit: Disney

For a long time, it looked like Dana Walden was the frontrunner in the CEO race, and if selected, would be the first female CEO in Disney’s history. However, her name seems to have fallen off the list due to the recent controversy surrounding the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel.

Ms. Walden and Bob Iger were reportedly the two main decision-makers when it came to pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air. The backlash from that decision caused Disney’s stock to lose billions, and nearly two million people canceled their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions.

Disney is expected to announce its next CEO in early 2026, with the new successor working closely with Bob Iger until he leaves at the end of that year.

Do you think Josh D’Amaro would be a good pick for Disney’s next CEO? What do you think Bob Iger’s reaction to the expectation that Mr. D’Amaro will get the CEO job? Who do you think would make a good CEO? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!