Former Disney chief Bob Chapek attributes his 2022 dismissal to Bob Iger in forthcoming memoir
In a memoir slated for release on Sept. 29, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek claims that his removal was orchestrated by his predecessor Bob Iger, while Disney declined to comment on the allegations.
Bob Chapek, who was dismissed as Disney’s chief executive in 2022 after less than three years in the role, alleges in his upcoming memoir that former CEO Bob Iger deliberately sabotaged his tenure. The book, titled Behind the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth, is scheduled for publication on Sept. 29 by Gallery Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Chapek writes that his “abrupt dismissal hurt my reputation” and that he sees no wrongdoing on his part. He contends that Iger, who had originally selected him for the position, “relentlessly and intentionally sabotaged” him. The memoir also suggests that Iger’s own departure in February 2020 was motivated by concerns about the impending Covid pandemic, a claim Disney has denied.
"I had been CEO for about 15 years… I was disappointed in what I was seeing, both during the transition period when I was still there and while I was out," Iger told a New York Times DealBook conference in 2023, adding that he stepped down to pursue other interests.
Chapek’s tenure was marked by several controversies, including disputes with talent such as Scarlett Johansson, criticism over Disney’s response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, and a reported $1.5 billion streaming loss that preceded his ouster. Activist investor Nelson Peltz cited the board’s handling of Chapek’s leadership in a proxy fight.
After Chapek’s removal, Iger returned as CEO until March of this year, when Josh D’Amaro, previously head of Disney’s parks and experiences division, was appointed chief executive following an extensive search. Chapek, a 30-year Disney veteran, notes in his book that he advocated for D’Amaro’s promotion, describing the latter as “a relative unknown” before his endorsement.