Josh D’Amaro Named Disney CEO, Succeeding Bob Iger
Disney has announced that Josh D’Amaro, the leader of its parks division, will take over as the company’s CEO, succeeding Bob Iger. D’Amaro will become the ninth person to hold the position in Disney’s over 100-year history. Since 2020, he has been in charge of Disney’s theme parks, cruises, and resorts, a segment that generated $36 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025 and employs 185,000 people globally.
At 54, D’Amaro assumes leadership during a period of successful box-office releases like “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, with a robust streaming business. However, there has been a drop in international visitors to its U.S. theme parks, partly due to a decline in tourism to the U.S.
D’Amaro’s responsibilities will include utilizing Disney’s extensive intellectual property to drive movie success and theme park expansions, while also focusing on growing the streaming and sports segments. The decision to appoint D’Amaro comes approximately four years after Disney’s previous succession plan led to Iger resuming the CEO role following issues with Bob Chapek.
The search for a new CEO was thorough, involving a succession planning committee established in 2023. The search gained momentum in 2024, led by James Gorman, Disney’s chairman. This process allowed for careful vetting, with Iger agreeing to a contract extension in the meantime.
Bob Iger will remain as a senior adviser and board member until his retirement at year-end. Though external candidates were considered, it was anticipated that Disney would opt for an internal candidate, as Disney leaders are already familiar with the company’s board and business operations.
Disney’s CEO role requires oversight of a vast entertainment empire, and the company’s leaders also serve as prominent public figures. D’Amaro, with Disney since 1998, has been pivotal in directing Disney’s $60 billion investment into cruise ships, resorts, and theme parks, while managing Walt Disney Imagineering and the licensing business, which includes collaboration with Epic Games.
“Throughout this search process, Josh has demonstrated a strong vision for the company’s future and a deep understanding of the creative spirit that makes Disney unique in an ever-changing marketplace,” Gorman stated in prepared remarks. “He has an outstanding record of business achievement, collaborating with some of the biggest names in entertainment to bring their stories to life in our parks, showcasing the power of combining Disney storytelling with cutting-edge technology.”
Meanwhile, Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment and a notable candidate for the CEO role, will assume the newly established position of president and chief creative officer of The Walt Disney Co., reporting to D’Amaro. Walden joined Disney in 2019 after a 25-year tenure at 21st Century Fox.
“I think if you think about what is the heart of the Disney company, it’s the creativity. It’s this amazing IP that’s been produced over decades, going back to Walt, and the storytelling that comes from that creativity. And I think Dana, working with Josh and ensuring that the best creativity permeates all of our businesses, is what we wanted,” Gorman remarked in an interview with CNBC.
Speculation had circulated about Disney possibly appointing co-CEOs, a trend gaining traction among companies like Oracle and Spotify, but D’Amaro and Walden will begin their new roles on March 18.
