The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, universally recognized as Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, the company evolved through names like Walt Disney Studio and Walt Disney Productions before adopting its current name in 1986. Disney's breakthrough came in 1928 with the short film Steamboat Willie, which featured synchronized sound and introduced Mickey Mouse, the character who would become the company's enduring mascot. By the early 1940s, Disney had achieved significant success, and the 1950s saw it expand into live-action films, television, and theme parks. However, Walt Disney's death in 1966 led to a period of decline, particularly in animation. In 1984, Michael Eisner took over as CEO, orchestrating a turnaround through international theme park expansion and the Disney Renaissance in animation from 1989 to 1999. Bob Iger succeeded Eisner in 2005, overseeing a wave of acquisitions that included Pixar (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019). Bob Chapek briefly led the company from 2020 to 2022, when Iger returned. Josh D'Amaro became CEO in 2026. Today, Disney operates the largest film and television studio in Hollywood, with properties like Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios under its umbrella. Its reach extends to ABC, ESPN, Disney+, Hulu, and a global network of theme parks and cruise lines. With 135 Academy Awards and a spot on the 2025 Forbes Global 2000, Disney remains a dominant force in entertainment, celebrating its centennial in 2023.[edit]