Josh D’Amaro, the longtime Disney executive who runs the company’s global theme parks and experiences business, has been tapped as the next chief executive of The Walt Disney Company, ending Bob Iger’s long and closely watched succession saga at the entertainment giant, the company announced.
Disney’s board unanimously voted to elevate D’Amaro, 54, the chairman of Disney Experiences, to CEO effective March 18, 2026, when he will formally succeed Iger at the company’s annual meeting, the company said in a statement.
At the same time, Dana Walden, the co-chair of Disney Entertainment, will take on a newly created role as president and chief creative officer, reporting directly to D’Amaro and overseeing storytelling and creative strategy across the company.
Iger, who returned to the CEO role in 2022 after his handpicked successor Bob Chapek was ousted, will remain on Disney’s board and serve as a senior adviser until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2026, the company said.
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said in the statement.
“He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects.”
Iger cited D’Amaro’s “ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”
James Gorman, former longtime CEO of Morgan Stanley who took over as Disney’s chairman of the board and oversaw the company’s multi-year succession effort, praised D’Amaro, saying he “possesses that rate combination of inspiring leadership and innovation.”
According to Gorman, D’Amaro has a “keen eye for strategic growth opportunities” and a “deep passion for the Disney brand and its people” — making him “the right person to take the helm as Disney’s next CEO.”
D’Amaro beat out Walden, widely perceived as his chief rival, for the top post. Other top Disney executives who were seen as candidates include ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro and Walden’s entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman.
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