Bob Iger to Step Down in 2026, Disney Board to Vote on Successor Next Week

According to The Wall Street Journal, Bob Iger has told people close to him he is "pulling back from daily management" and will step down as Disney CEO in 2026, likely before his contract expires at year-end. The report says a successor is expected to be appointed in "early 2026," and the Disney board will meet in Burbank next week to vote on the replacement.

The company has not publicly identified any potential successors. Two names the report mentioned as rumored contenders are Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences who oversees parks, cruises and consumer products, and Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment who oversees global and streaming television.

Iger was the seventh CEO in the Walt Disney Company's history, taking over from Michael Eisner in 2005 and leading the company until February 2020, when he was succeeded by Bob Chapek. Iger remained chair until his contract ended in 2021; Chapek's tenure drew controversy, including a public lawsuit with Scarlett Johansson over the decision to send Black Widow to streaming and criticism over his handling of Florida's HB 1557.

Iger returned to Disney in November 2022 after Chapek was forced to step down. The outlet notes his second tenure has been more contentious: his comment that writers' strike demands were "unrealistic" drew backlash given his nearly $32 million paycheck in 2023, the temporary pulling of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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