Disney names parks chief Josh D’Amaro as next CEO, effective next month
Disney has selected its head of parks, Josh D’Amaro, as the successor to CEO Bob Iger. D’Amaro will take over the chief exec role on March 18, 2026. Disney shares climbed in premarket trading.
The decision follows another lengthy CEO search for the entertainment juggernaut. Prior to Iger’s 2022 return, the company’s previous CEO was Bob Chapek, who had served as the head of parks (and succeeded Iger after Iger’s first stint in charge of the House of Mouse).
D’Amaro has led the company’s highly profitable experiences unit, which includes parks and cruises, since 2020. That division booked about 60% of Disney’s profit in 2025.
The incoming exec is relatively unknown in Hollywood — an issue Chapek was unable to satisfactorily overcome — but has successfully managed the company’s relationships globally.
“[D’Amaro] 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. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary,” Iger said in a statement.
D’Amaro has led the company’s highly profitable experiences unit, which includes parks and cruises, since 2020. That division booked about 60% of Disney’s profit in 2025.
The incoming exec is relatively unknown in Hollywood — an issue Chapek was unable to satisfactorily overcome — but has successfully managed the company’s relationships globally.
“[D’Amaro] 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. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary,” Iger said in a statement.
