Bob Iger
Robert Alan Iger was born on the 10th of February 1951 to an Austrian-Jewish family in New York City. He grew up in Oceanside, where he attended Fulton Avenue School and later graduated from Oceanside High School in 1969. His father worked as a professor of advertising while his mother taught at Boardman Junior High School. Iger pursued television studies at Ithaca College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in 1973. He began his media career in 1972 hosting Campus Probe, a student show at his alma mater. A few months after graduation, he worked as a weatherman in Ithaca for five months before shifting his goals entirely.
Iger joined the American Broadcasting Company in 1974 performing menial labor on television sets for $150 a week. By 1988, he served as senior program executive for the Calgary Winter Olympics. Disruptive weather delayed events during that broadcast, so his team focused on human interest stories like the Jamaican bobsled team. Those choices achieved record-high ratings for ABC and caught the attention of executives Daniel Burke and Thomas Murphy. In 1989, Iger became head of ABC Entertainment and greenlit shows such as Twin Peaks and America's Funniest Home Videos. He rose to president of the ABC Network Television Group from January 1993 to 1994.
Disney announced its acquisition of Pixar for $7.4 billion on the 24th of January 2006 under Iger's leadership. The company later negotiated to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in August 2009. By 2014, Disney had grossed more than that amount at the box office through Marvel movies alone. On the 7th of October 2011, Iger became chairman of the board following John Pepper's retirement. He signed a deal with filmmaker George Lucas in October 2012 to purchase Lucasfilm for $4 billion. This transaction gave Disney rights to Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Shareholders approved the purchase of 21st Century Fox assets in July 2018, finalized in March 2019 for $71.3 billion.
Iger stepped down as CEO on the 31st of December 2021, after his contract expired. Bob Chapek took over as chief executive while Iger served as executive chairman until the 20th of November 2022. That date marked when Chapek was ousted by the Disney board and Iger reinstated as CEO. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract until the end of 2026. His 2023 pay package included stock awards of $16.1 million plus performance-based compensation totaling $31.6 million. During this second tenure, Disney's share price increased 22% versus 68% for the S&P 500. The company launched Disney+ streaming service during this period despite initial challenges.
Apple Inc. named Iger to its board of directors on the 15th of November 2011. He resigned from that position on the 10th of September 2019 to avoid conflicts with competing streaming services. In October 2020, he became a director of Perfect Day, a dairy-replacement startup. Iger joined Genies, Inc. in March 2022. In July 2024, he and his wife Willow Bay agreed to take a majority stake in Angel City FC. Their investment totaled $100 million into the Los Angeles-based National Women's Soccer League team. To avoid conflicts, Iger recused himself from all Disney and ESPN business matters related to women's soccer.
Iger described himself as a centrist but switched party registration from Democratic to independent in May 2016. He co-chaired a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's campaign on the 22nd of August 2016. A dispute over Disney Resort wages led him to write a Facebook post claiming they hired 18,000 employees in five years. The company settled with the US Department of Labor the following year paying back wages. In December 2024, Iger approved a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over an ABC News lawsuit. Critics viewed this surrender as a dangerous precedent for free speech in the United States. During July 2023 interviews, he criticized WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes as unrealistic challenges facing the business.
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Common questions
When was Bob Iger born and where did he grow up?
Robert Alan Iger was born on the 10th of February 1951 to an Austrian-Jewish family in New York City. He grew up in Oceanside, where he attended Fulton Avenue School and later graduated from Oceanside High School in 1969.
What major acquisitions did Bob Iger lead for Disney between 2006 and 2019?
Disney announced its acquisition of Pixar for $7.4 billion on the 24th of January 2006 under Bob Iger's leadership. The company later negotiated to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in August 2009 and finalized the purchase of 21st Century Fox assets in March 2019 for $71.3 billion.
Why did Bob Iger return as CEO of Disney in November 2022?
Bob Iger reinstated as CEO on the 20th of November 2022 after Bob Chapek was ousted by the Disney board. Iger had served as executive chairman until that date following his initial step down as CEO on the 31st of December 2021.
How much money did Bob Iger receive in his 2023 pay package?
His 2023 pay package included stock awards of $16.1 million plus performance-based compensation totaling $31.6 million. This financial arrangement occurred during his second tenure which began in July 2023 when Disney renewed his contract until the end of 2026.
What investment did Bob Iger make in Angel City FC in July 2024?
In July 2024, Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay agreed to take a majority stake in Angel City FC. Their investment totaled $100 million into the Los Angeles-based National Women's Soccer League team.