Michael Eisner
Born 1942 · Age 83
American media executive; Chairman & CEO of The Walt Disney Company (1984–2005); former president of Paramount Pictures; founder of The Tornante Company and Vuguru; influential in the Disney Renaissance and global expansion of Disney parks and media holdings.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Mount Kisco, New York
Michael Dammann Eisner was born to an affluent secular Jewish family in Mount Kisco, New York.
Early education: Allen-Stevenson School
Attended Allen-Stevenson School (kindergarten through ninth grade) in New York.
Attended The Lawrenceville School
Attended The Lawrenceville School for grades 10 through 12.
Graduated Denison University (B.A. in English)
Earned a bachelor's degree in English from Denison University; member of Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Married Jane Breckenridge
Met and married Jane Breckenridge (marriage year noted as 1967 in some sources; Wikipedia infobox states m. 1967). (Note: sources vary; included per infobox.)
Hired at ABC by Barry Diller (assistant to programming director)
Joined ABC as assistant to the national programming director under Barry Diller, after brief early roles at NBC and CBS.
Promoted to Vice President, Daytime Programming at ABC
Rose through ABC's programming ranks to become vice president for daytime programming.
Senior VP for Prime Time Production & Development at ABC
Promoted to senior vice president for prime time production and development at ABC (same year moved to Paramount later).
Joined Paramount Pictures as President & COO
Barry Diller recruited Eisner to Paramount Pictures; he became president and chief operating officer, overseeing a string of hit films and TV shows.
Paramount era: Oversaw blockbuster films and TV (late 1970s–early 1980s)
During his tenure Paramount produced hits such as Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Flashdance, Terms of Endearment, Beverly Hills Cop, and TV shows like Happy Days and Cheers.
Became Chairman & CEO of The Walt Disney Company
Recruited (with Frank Wells as president) to revive Disney; replaced Ron W. Miller as CEO and chairman in September 1984.
Became Host of The Wonderful World of Disney
A couple of years after becoming CEO, Eisner began hosting The Wonderful World of Disney, raising his public profile.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit released (animation/business milestone)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) helped revitalize Disney's animation business and set the stage for the Disney Renaissance.
The Little Mermaid released (Disney Renaissance)
The Little Mermaid (1989) marked a major animation comeback under Eisner's leadership.
Opened Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Part of Eisner's expansion of Disney's theme park business; Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989.
Acquired majority of ESPN and other media investments
During Eisner's tenure, Disney acquired significant interests in ESPN and other media properties and franchises (Muppets, Fox Family Cable network), expanding Disney's media portfolio.
Disney's 'The Disney Decade' planning period
Eisner and partners planned 'The Disney Decade' — ambitious global expansion, new parks and media investments (many projects proposed; several completed).
Beauty and the Beast released
Beauty and the Beast (1991) was a critical and commercial success; first animated film nominated for Best Picture (1991).
Disney–Pixar partnership announced
Disney partnered with Pixar (began producing Pixar films with Disney distributing, an important creative and business relationship).
Aladdin released; Euro Disney opened in Paris
Aladdin (1992) continued Disney's animation success; Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris) opened in 1992 — later acknowledged as a major financial disappointment.
Acquired Miramax Films
Disney acquired Miramax in 1993, broadening Disney's adult-oriented film offerings.
Golden Plate Award (American Academy of Achievement)
Received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
The Lion King released (major success)
The Lion King (1994) became one of the biggest box-office hits of the Disney Renaissance.
Frank Wells died in helicopter crash
Frank Wells, Disney president and Eisner's partner in reviving Disney, died in a helicopter crash in 1994; his death precipitated executive turmoil.
Jeffrey Katzenberg resigned from Disney
Katzenberg resigned following disputes with Eisner over senior appointments and compensation after Frank Wells' death.
Katzenberg legal settlement (final settlement $280M)
Legal dispute over Katzenberg's contract ended with a final settlement of approximately $280 million (Eisner/Disney forced to settle).
Recruited Michael Ovitz as President of Disney
Eisner recruited Michael Ovitz, a prominent agent and founder of CAA, to be President of Disney; Ovitz's tenure was brief and controversial.
Disney acquires Capital Cities/ABC (reunites Eisner with former employer)
Under Eisner, Disney acquired ABC (Capital Cities/ABC) in the mid-1990s, reuniting Eisner with his former employer (commonly cited as 1995 acquisition).
Michael Ovitz departure and severance package
Ovitz left after ~14 months (no-fault termination) in December 1996; severance included $38M cash and 3 million stock options valued at roughly $100M at that time.
Opened Disney's Animal Kingdom
Opened Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in 1998 as part of global parks expansion.
Honor Award from National Building Museum
Received the National Building Museum's Honor Award in recognition of contributions to the built environment (parks, studios).
Opened Disney's California Adventure & Tokyo DisneySea
Expanded Disney's parks portfolio with Disney's California Adventure (Anaheim) and Tokyo DisneySea (Japan) openings in 2001.
Opened Walt Disney Studios Park (Paris)
Walt Disney Studios Park (Paris) opened in 2002 as part of continued theme park investments.
Roy E. Disney resigned and launched 'Save Disney' campaign
Roy E. Disney resigned from board roles and led criticism against Eisner's management, triggering shareholder activism.
UJA-Federation Steven J. Ross Humanitarian of the Year Award
Received UJA-Federation of New York's Steven J. Ross Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Board strips Eisner of Chairmanship; George Mitchell named Chairman
Following shareholder revolt, the board gave the chairmanship to George J. Mitchell while Eisner remained CEO.
Shareholder proxy vote: 43% withheld re-election
At the annual shareholders' meeting, 43% of Disney shareholders withheld proxies to re-elect Eisner to the board—an unprecedented rebuke.
Founded The Tornante Company
Founded The Tornante Company, a private investment firm focused on media and entertainment.
Published Camp
Published the book 'Camp' (a personal/memoir work reflecting on camp experiences).
Announced stepping down as CEO (one year early); named Bob Iger CEO-designate
Announced he would step down as CEO one year before contract expiration and handed day-to-day duties to Bob Iger.
Resigned as CEO and left Disney completely
Resigned as CEO and from the board on September 30, 2005, waiving many contractual perks and severing formal ties.
Guest-hosted Charlie Rose
Guest host on Charlie Rose, interviewing John Travolta and Barry Diller; led to later TV opportunities.
Burbank HQ renamed Team Disney – The Michael D. Eisner Building
Disney's corporate headquarters in Burbank were renamed in Eisner's honor in January 2006.
Began hosting CNBC show 'Conversations with Michael Eisner'
Hired by CNBC to host Conversations with Michael Eisner, featuring CEOs, political leaders, artists, until cancellation in 2009.
Derivative litigation decision (In re Walt Disney Company)
Delaware Court of Chancery (Chancellor Chandler) ruled in favor of Eisner and the Disney board in the long-running derivative suit stemming from the Ovitz episode; criticized Eisner's behavior but found no breach of duty of care.
Launched Vuguru (digital studio) via Tornante
The Tornante Company launched Vuguru, producing and distributing video content for web, mobile and digital platforms.
Acquired Topps Company with Madison Dearborn Partners
Tornante partnered with Madison Dearborn Partners to acquire Topps Company (trading cards & collectibles).
Received star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.
Conversations with Michael Eisner cancelled
CNBC's Conversations with Michael Eisner ran until its cancellation in 2009.
Created and produced 'Glenn Martin, DDS' (stop‑motion sitcom)
Used personal funds to produce the claymation/stop-motion animated sitcom Glenn Martin, DDS (2009–2011).
Published 'Working Together: Why Great Partnerships Succeed'
Published a book focusing on successful partnerships in business and beyond.
Vuguru partnership with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment announced
Vuguru announced a partnership with POW! Entertainment to launch a premium YouTube channel (Stan Lee’s World of Heroes).
Inducted into Television Academy Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame on March 1, 2012.
Tornante invests in other digital/consumer ventures
Tornante's portfolio included WhoWhatWear, TaskRabbit, Zumbox, AirTime, Rising Beverage (Activate), reflecting Eisner's pivot to digital and consumer investments.
Tornante funded 'BoJack Horseman' (Netflix series premiere)
Tornante Company funded the animated Netflix series BoJack Horseman, which premiered in 2014 and received critical acclaim.
Entered exclusivity talks to buy Portsmouth F.C.
Tornante entered an exclusivity agreement to pursue acquisition of Portsmouth Football Club (England).
Completed purchase of Portsmouth F.C.
Eisner and Tornante completed purchase of Portsmouth F.C. for a reported £5.67 million.
Topps sale closing / wind‑down of that investment
Completion of Tornante's long-term ownership and monetization of Topps marked a major portfolio exit for Eisner's firm.
Sold Topps to Fanatics
Tornante sold Topps to Fanatics following Topps' loss of Major League Baseball licensing rights; reported sale price ~ $500 million.
Britannica profile updated
Encyclopaedia Britannica update (profile updated July 18, 2025) summarizing Eisner's career and noting his influence and post‑Disney ventures.
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