Michael Eisner

$1.10 B

Ranked #1014 in World

About Michael Eisner

Michael Dammann Eisner, an influential American businessman, led The Walt Disney Company as its chairman and CEO from 1984 to 2005, marking a period of significant transformation and expansion for the entertainment giant. Born into an affluent Jewish family in New York, Eisner's journey through prestigious schools culminated in a BA in English from Denison University. His career trajectory soared from roles at NBC and CBS to a pivotal position at ABC, before revitalizing Paramount Pictures with hits like "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease." At Disney, Eisner's legacy includes reviving animation with classics such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Lion King," alongside strategic acquisitions that broadened Disney's empire. Despite facing controversies and public feuds, Eisner's impact on the media landscape is undeniable, earning him numerous accolades and a place in the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Born

March 07, 1942 in Mount Kisco, New York, U.S.

Age

84 years

Source Of Wealth

Walt Disney, Investments

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Los Angeles, California

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Denison University

Spouse

Jane Breckenridge (Married: 1967)

Children

3, including Breck and Eric

Michael Dammann Eisner was born on March 7, 1942, in Mount Kisco, New York. He was born into an affluent Jewish family. Eisner attended Allen-Stevenson School and The Lawrenceville School. He then went on to graduate from Denison University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. During his time at Denison, he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.

Michael Eisner: Family

Michael Eisner is married to Jane Breckenridge. They have three sons together: Breck, Eric, and Anders.

Michael Eisner: Career Highlights

Eisner started his career in the entertainment industry at NBC and CBS. He then joined ABC as an assistant to the national programming director. He quickly rose through the ranks at ABC, eventually becoming a senior vice president in charge of programming and development.

In 1976, Eisner was recruited by Barry Diller to become president and COO of Paramount Pictures. During his time at Paramount, he produced several successful films, including Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Beverly Hills Cop.

In 1984, Eisner joined The Walt Disney Company as CEO and chairman of the board, replacing Ron W. Miller. During his tenure at Disney, Eisner revitalized the company's animation studio with successful films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. He also acquired ABC, most of ESPN, Fox Family, and The Muppets franchise. Additionally, Eisner led major investments and expansion of Disney's theme parks globally.

Michael Eisner: Companies

Eisner has been associated with the following companies throughout his career:

NBC
CBS
ABC
Paramount Pictures
The Walt Disney Company
Vuguru
Topps Company
Portsmouth Football Club

Michael Eisner: Major Achievements

Some of Eisner's major achievements include:

Revitalizing Disney's animation studio
Acquiring ABC, most of ESPN, Fox Family, and The Muppets franchise
Leading major investments and expansion of Disney's theme parks globally
Producing successful films such as Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Beverly Hills Cop, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King

Michael Eisner: Awards & Achievements

Eisner has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including:

Golden Plate Award
Honor Award from the National Building Museum
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame

Michael Eisner: Personal Life & Legacy

Eisner is married to Jane Breckenridge and has three sons: Breck, Eric, and Anders.

He is known for his philanthropy and has made significant contributions to various charitable organizations.

Michael Eisner: Trivia

Eisner is a fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Knicks.
He is a collector of contemporary art.
Eisner is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying.
He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Wealth History

Timeline

March 7, 1942

Michael Dammann Eisner is born in Mount Kisco, New York.

1976

Eisner joins Paramount Pictures as president and COO.

1984

Eisner becomes CEO and chairman of the board of The Walt Disney Company.

1989

Disney releases The Little Mermaid, marking the start of a successful period for the animation studio.

1994

Disney acquires ABC.

1995

Disney acquires most of ESPN.

1996

Disney acquires Fox Family.

2000

Disney acquires The Muppets franchise.

2005

Eisner announces his resignation as CEO of Disney.

2006

Eisner hosts his own talk show, Conversations with Michael Eisner, on CNBC.

2007

Eisner launches Vuguru, a studio that produces videos for the internet and mobile devices.

2007

Eisner partners with Madison Dearborn Partners to acquire Topps Company.

2009

Eisner produces the claymation show Glenn Martin, DDS.

2014

Eisner funds the Netflix series BoJack Horseman.

2017

Eisner becomes involved in the takeover of Portsmouth Football Club in England.

Michael Eisner : FAQs

What is Michael Eisner's net worth?

As of 2008, Michael Eisner's net worth was $1.10 billion.

What are Michael Eisner's main sources of wealth?

Michael Eisner's main source of income comes from Walt Disney, Investments.

What is Michael Eisner educational background?

Michael Eisner holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Denison University.

How old is Michael Eisner?

Michael Eisner is 84 years old.

How many children does Michael Eisner have?

Michael Eisner has 3 children.

Who is Michael Dammann Eisner and what is he known for?

Michael Dammann Eisner, born on March 7, 1942, is an American businessman renowned for his role as the former chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 to 2005, where he revitalized the company's animation studio and expanded its theme parks globally.

What significant achievements did Michael Eisner accomplish at Paramount Pictures?

During his tenure as president and COO of Paramount Pictures starting in 1976, Michael Eisner produced several successful films including Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Beverly Hills Cop.

How did Michael Eisner contribute to the success of The Walt Disney Company?

Michael Eisner played a pivotal role in the success of The Walt Disney Company by revitalizing its animation studio with hits like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, acquiring major companies like ABC and ESPN, and leading global expansion of Disney's theme parks.

What were some challenges and controversies faced by Michael Eisner during his tenure at Disney?

Eisner faced criticism for integrating Paramount films with Disney, public feuds with figures like Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steve Jobs, and a 'Save Disney' campaign led by Roy E. Disney due to dissatisfaction with his management style.

What has Michael Eisner done since retiring from The Walt Disney Company?

Since retiring in 2005, Michael Eisner has hosted a talk show on CNBC, launched Vuguru for internet and mobile videos, partnered to acquire Topps Company, produced shows like Glenn Martin, DDS, funded BoJack Horseman on Netflix, and became involved in the takeover of Portsmouth Football Club.