Disney Names Josh D’Amaro as New CEO, Replacing Bob Iger

Disney Names Josh D’Amaro as New CEO, Replacing Bob Iger

February 4, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

The Walt Disney Company is undergoing a leadership transition. Josh D’Amaro has been named the next Chief Executive Officer, effective in March, succeeding Bob Iger who has led the company for nearly two decades.

A New Era for Disney

D’Amaro, a 28-year veteran of the company, currently serves as the Chairman of Disney Experiences, overseeing the company’s global portfolio of cruise ships, resorts, and theme parks. This includes an upcoming park planned for Abu Dhabi.

Did You Know? Josh D’Amaro has been described as the “architect of the largest global expansion in the history of Disney Experiences,” a $36 billion undertaking.

Iger’s tenure saw a return to the company in 2022 after previous leadership changes. He was initially CEO from 2005 to 2020, stepping down before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to address a period where Disney was reportedly losing $1 billion per quarter, and is credited with restructuring the company and implementing $5.5 billion in cost cuts.

Past Challenges and Future Outlook

The leadership change follows a period of scrutiny for Disney, including a temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC following on-air commentary. Iger will remain with the company as a senior advisor and board member, retiring at the end of the year.

Expert Insight: The transition from Iger to D’Amaro represents a continuation of Disney’s strategic focus on its core experiences—theme parks, cruises, and resorts—while navigating a rapidly evolving media landscape. D’Amaro’s experience in these areas positions him to build on recent successes and potentially address ongoing challenges in the streaming and content creation sectors.

D’Amaro will oversee a vast empire encompassing Disney movies, 20th Century Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, ABC, FX, and Hulu. He will also be responsible for integrating a new licensing deal with OpenAI’s artificial intelligence platform, Sora.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Josh D’Amaro?

Josh D’Amaro is the current Chairman of Disney Experiences and will become the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company in March.

Why is Bob Iger stepping down again?

Bob Iger stated he believes it’s time to prepare the company for the future and that his successor will not accept the status quo. He will remain as a senior advisor and board member.

What companies fall under the Disney umbrella?

The Walt Disney Company includes Disney movies, 20th Century Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, ABC, FX, Hulu, theme parks, and cruise lines.

As Disney navigates the complexities of the entertainment industry, how might these leadership changes impact the future of storytelling and immersive experiences?