Disney Embarks on New Chapter After Bob Iger Steps Down

Josh D'Amaro has officially taken over as CEO of Disney. As he starts his tenure, Disney embarks on a new chapter. The tech-savvy leader plans to focus on technology, robotics, and gaming.

Bob Iger officially stepped down as CEO of DIS on March 18, 2026, nine months ahead of his original contract end date, handing the reins to Josh D'Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran who most recently served as chairman of Disney Experiences. Dana Walden was simultaneously elevated to a new President and Chief Creative Officer role reporting to D'Amaro, consolidating Disney's creative leadership under its operational chief.

The succession marks the end of Iger's storied tenure, which saw Disney acquire Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, transforming the company into the world's largest entertainment conglomerate. D'Amaro inherits a company generating record theme park revenue but facing streaming profitability challenges and intensifying competition from Netflix, Amazon, and Apple in the content wars.

Iger will remain as a senior adviser through the end of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Investors are watching closely to see whether D'Amaro, whose background is primarily in parks and experiences rather than media, can maintain Disney's content pipeline while continuing the push toward streaming profitability that defined Iger's final chapter.