Bob Iger returns as Disney CEO, ousting controversial leader Bob Chapek

By Alex Galbraith on Mon, Nov 21, 2022 at 10:42 am

Current Disney CEO Bob Iger (left) and former CEO Bob Chapek

The Bob is back.

Disney announced on Sunday night that CEO Bob Chapek had left the company and would be replaced by his predecessor Bob Iger. Chapek's exit came after a tumultuous few months that saw Disney underperform its expected earnings.

Chapek oversaw a period of rapid growth in expenses at Disney's streaming service and a controversial rise in the costs to consumers at all levels of interaction with the entertainment giant. Chapek's resignation comes shortly after the parks announced changes in cost and further restrictions on park passes.

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“We thank Bob Chapek for his service to Disney over his long career, including navigating the company through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic,” said Disney board chair Susan Arnold in a news release announcing the move.

Iger will take over for two years and has the "mandate of the board" to shape the future direction of the company. During Iger's previous term, Disney grew into the all-consuming media giant it currently is. He led the company through acquisitions of Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and 21st Century Fox.

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"It is with an incredible sense of gratitude and humility — and, I must admit, a bit of amazement — that I write to you this evening with the news that I am returning to The Walt Disney Company as Chief Executive Officer," Iger wrote in an email to Disney employees. "When I look at the creative success of our teams across our Studios, Disney General Entertainment, ESPN and International, the rapid growth of our streaming services, the phenomenal reimagining and rebound of our Parks, the continued great work of ABC News, and so many other achievements across our businesses, I am in awe of your accomplishments and I am excited to embark with you on many new endeavors."

An era of increasing costs and fewer services made Chapek few friends among the die-hard Disney community. As such, the reactions to Iger's return were mostly celebratory (with a few jokes about another CEO making headlines thrown in for good measure).

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An accurate representation of Bob Iger announcing his return as CEO to replace Chapek. Ifykyk pic.twitter.com/YrKP4GrfxE
— Viva Navihoe (@thatoneblkguy23) November 21, 2022

Bob Iger was sitting at home one night watching Wall-E with a nice glass of red in his home cinema. He then gets an alert on his phone "Disney CEO Bob Chapek Thinks Adults Don’t Want to Watch Animated Movies" and that's all it took.
— Jeff Gordon (@jeffgordonla) November 21, 2022

bob iger just sent a company wide email telling all disney employees they have till 5pm tomorrow to decide if theyre ready to go ‘mad for the mouse’ or take severance
— paris martineau (@parismartineau) November 21, 2022

bob iger.... listen to me.... you can destroy genie plus.... you have the power....
— river ! (@CLAWTHRNS) November 21, 2022

Bob Iger, I have one simple request: pic.twitter.com/lrYj1jTxma
— Somewareatdisney (@somewareatdiz) November 21, 2022

Bob Iger returning to Disney after Bob Chapek said adults don’t watch animated movies: pic.twitter.com/4IZO7VJqbK https://t.co/6l1gqXUyVo
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) November 21, 2022

Disney Adults right now after hearing Bob Iger is back and Bob Chapek is fired pic.twitter.com/rU2G7IN9Fg
— Brandon turrisi (@Brandonturrisi) November 21, 2022

If I had a nickel for every time Bob Iger was CEO, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.
— em (but jolly) 🎄 (@Emz_AllStar) November 21, 2022

OMG ITS BOB IGER COMING OUT WITH THE CHAIR $DIS #Disney pic.twitter.com/2lODmmot9u
— Ronaldo Miguel (@Lone_Puma) November 21, 2022

bob iger’s first official act back as ceo should be paying cast member’s more, just saying <3 https://t.co/NcRRUcLXAF
— joseph ☻ (@stussyjoseph) November 21, 2022

Bob Iger is an objective evil for culture and cinema and turned Disney into a Machiavellian Monopoly, but he at least had an occasional passion for creative. Chapek was soulless spreadsheet operator who literally saw artists as machine operators for "content." I'm glad he's gone.
— Brendan Hodges (@metaplexmovies) November 21, 2022

Live look at Main St USA after the news release of Bob Iger returning as CEO: pic.twitter.com/dq39gMzxKc
— elf erin (@WDWords) November 21, 2022

Bob Iger coming out of the Disney vault to take over: pic.twitter.com/49wxwMR1Y9
— Tom Zohar (@TomZohar) November 21, 2022

The craziest part is that they just kept Bob Iger in the Disney Vault with all those old VHS tapes since he first stepped down
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) November 21, 2022

walt disney finding out that bob chapek is gone and bob iger is back pic.twitter.com/pha56bEba8
— christmas dante✨🎄 (@dantep__) November 21, 2022

a muscular bearded bob iger chopping wood while living in a cabin off the grid when a helicopter lands in an open field nearby, out comes a number of men in suits and sunglasses, one of which is carrying the reanimated head of walt disney
— No Alex November (@tmbg13) November 21, 2022