Ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek Blames Bob Iger in New Memoir

Former Walt Disney Company chief executive Bob Chapek has broken his silence over his abrupt 2022 dismissal, releasing a memoir that directly implicates Bob Iger in his ouster. The book marks the first time Chapek has publicly detailed his account of the circumstances that ended his tenure atop one of the world's most prominent entertainment companies.

Chapek's grievances center on Iger, the Disney veteran who both preceded him as CEO and then returned to replace him after the board's surprise decision to remove Chapek in November 2022. The unusual corporate sequence — in which a former chief executive reclaimed the role from his own handpicked successor — has fueled speculation about internal power dynamics at Disney ever since.

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The memoir adds a personal dimension to what had been a largely one-sided public narrative. Iger, who has remained a dominant figure in the entertainment industry and has spoken extensively about Disney's direction since his return, has long cast the leadership transition in terms of the company's operational struggles. Chapek's account appears intended to challenge that framing and offer a counter-narrative from inside the boardroom.

The timing of the book's release draws fresh attention to a corporate drama that unfolded against the backdrop of Disney's post-pandemic challenges, including streaming losses, theme park controversies, and a public dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the company's stance on state education legislation — a conflict that erupted on Chapek's watch.

Whether the memoir reshapes public perception of either executive remains to be seen, but it ensures the circumstances of Chapek's firing will remain a subject of scrutiny in Hollywood and corporate governance circles. Continue reading at NYT > Business.