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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Money & Work • Media Executive

Bob Iger

Bob Iger is an American media executive best known for serving as chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company in two separate periods, from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2026.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Bob Iger is an American media executive who served as CEO of The Walt Disney Company in two separate periods, from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2026. He is known for leading Disney through major acquisitions and shaping its global entertainment portfolio.

What it is

Bob Iger, born Robert Alan Iger on February 10, 1951, is a media executive best known for his leadership at The Walt Disney Company. He began his career at ABC in 1974, later becoming president of ABC and president and COO of Capital Cities/ABC before Disney acquired the company in 1996. Iger became Disney CEO in 2005 and oversaw acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. He stepped down in 2020 but returned as CEO in November 2022 after Bob Chapek’s departure, serving until 2026.

Why it matters

Iger’s leadership shaped Disney into a dominant force in global media and entertainment, with indirect relevance for Canadian audiences and markets. Disney’s business, broadcasting, and theme-park interests in Canada mean Iger’s decisions affected Canadian consumers and the media landscape. His memoir, *The Ride of a Lifetime*, offers insights into corporate strategy and leadership.

Key details

Iger served as Disney CEO from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2026. He also held roles as chairman and CEO during part of his tenure. Major acquisitions under his watch include Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. He is the author of the memoir *The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company*.

In short

  • Bob Iger was Disney CEO from 2005–2020 and 2022–2026.
  • He led acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.
  • He started his career at ABC in 1974 and rose to senior roles there.
  • His memoir is titled *The Ride of a Lifetime*.
Canadian angle

Disney is a major media and entertainment company with significant business, broadcasting, and theme-park interests in Canada, so Iger’s leadership has had indirect relevance for Canadian audiences and media markets.

Quick questions

Who is Bob Iger?
Bob Iger is an American media executive best known for leading The Walt Disney Company as CEO in two separate periods.
What major companies did Disney acquire under Bob Iger?
During his tenure, Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.
Did Bob Iger work at ABC before Disney?
Yes. He held senior roles at ABC and Capital Cities/ABC before joining Disney’s leadership after its acquisition of the company.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Iger
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, Disney CEO terms, and prior ABC/Capital Cities/ABC roles.
  2. Ad Council — https://www.adcouncil.org/bob-iger-bio
    Supports: Disney leadership history, major acquisitions, ABC career, and author information.
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/culture-magazines/iger-bob
    Supports: Biographical details and career progression at ABC and Disney.
  4. Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/bob-iger-career-2024-3
    Supports: Recent Disney CEO transition context and timeline.