It’s been quite a week for Bob Iger. First, the former Disney CEO bought the L.A. Lakers. Then, at D23 on Saturday, he was inducted as a Disney Legend.
The honor, given to those who have “made a significant impact on the Disney legacy,” is the company’s highest recognition — the equivalent, in sports terms, of a hall of fame induction or having your number retired. And Iger, who steered Disney through its biggest era of acquisitions and hits, certainly qualifies.
“I watched you make some impossible decisions. I’ve watched you protect creative people. But what I’ll remember most is the way you made people believe. That’s leadership.” — Harrison Ford
The Stage Pays Tribute
Iron Man himself was among those honoring the longtime Disney leader. “Mr. Iger’s primary quality is courage,” Robert Downey Jr. said from the stage, citing Iger’s “bold choices” and his success through “empowering people.”
Harrison Ford followed with a moving tribute, while Ellen Pompeo observed, “It’s your integrity and your kindness that will be your legacy forever. And thank you, Bob, for reminding us that leadership is not only about making decisions, but about making people matter.”
Iger took the stage to a standing ovation and praised Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro: “I think you’re wearing that title really well and I am so proud to call you my successor.”
Why It Matters
From “Toy Story” and Pixar to Marvel, Lucasfilm and the streaming revolution, Iger reshaped what Disney is — and buying the Lakers in the same week he became a Legend only cemented his status as one of the most consequential figures in modern entertainment. As he hands the reins to a new generation, D23 served as a fitting coronation for the man who, for two decades, made audiences believe in magic.
