Michael Eisner
Chairman & CEO of The Walt Disney Company (1984–2005)
Michael Eisner served as Chairman & CEO of The Walt Disney Company for a verified duration of 21 years 0 months (7,678 days), from Sep 22, 1984 until Sep 30, 2005. During this tenure, Michael Eisner guided The Walt Disney Company across major corporate milestones before resigning as chief executive.
Executive Succession & Corporate Facts
- Predecessor
- Not recorded
- Successor
- Bob Iger (CEO)
- Database Tenure Rank
- #17 Longest-Serving CEO in Database (View Full Rankings →)
- Company Founded
- Oct 16, 1923 (Burbank, California)
- Known Aliases
- Michael Dammann Eisner
Tenure Milestones & Transition Timeline
Michael Eisner Named Chairman and CEO of Walt Disney Productions
Following a takeover battle by corporate raiders, Disney's Board appointed former Paramount Pictures president Michael Eisner as CEO.
Disney Announces $19 Billion Acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC
Eisner executed the second-largest corporate merger in U.S. history, bringing ABC Television Network, ESPN, and A&E under Disney.
43% of Disney Shareholders Withhold Votes for Eisner in Revolt Led by Roy E. Disney
In an unprecedented shareholder rebuke led by Roy E. Disney's 'Save Disney' campaign, the Board stripped Eisner of his Chairman title.
Disney Board Elects Bob Iger to Succeed Michael Eisner as CEO
Disney announced Bob Iger was elected Chief Executive Officer, with Eisner agreeing to step down a year ahead of schedule on September 30, 2005.
Michael Eisner Formally Resigns After 21-Year Reign as Disney CEO
Eisner retired on September 30, 2005, having grown Disney's market value from $1.8 billion in 1984 to over $50 billion.
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