What Happened to Michael Dammann Eisner?
Michael Eisner is an American businessman and media proprietor best known for his 21-year tenure as Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, where he revitalized the company and expanded its global reach. Since leaving Disney in 2005, he founded The Tornante Company, an investment firm focused on media and entertainment, and currently owns the English football club Portsmouth F.C. He remains an active voice in the entertainment industry, offering insights on current trends and challenges.
Quick Answer
Michael Eisner, the former Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, is currently the owner and Chairman of The Tornante Company, a private investment firm that focuses on media and entertainment. Through Tornante, he owns the English football club Portsmouth F.C.. As of August 2026, Eisner, 84, remains active, recently commenting on Disney's theme park pricing, offering advice to new Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro, and reflecting on Hollywood's early failures in video game development.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Born in Mount Kisco, New York
Michael Dammann Eisner was born in Mount Kisco, New York.
Hired by ABC
Eisner began his career in television, joining ABC as an assistant to the national programming director and rising through the ranks.
Becomes President of Paramount Pictures
Barry Diller, then chairman of Paramount, recruited Eisner to become president and COO of the film studio, where he oversaw numerous hit films.
Appointed Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company
Eisner was brought in to lead The Walt Disney Company, which was struggling financially, and began a period of significant revitalization.
Oversees the 'Disney Renaissance'
Under Eisner's leadership, Disney's animation studio produced a string of highly successful films, including 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin,' and 'The Lion King.'
Leads Acquisition of ABC and ESPN
Eisner expanded Disney's media portfolio by acquiring the ABC Television Network and a majority share of ESPN, significantly broadening the company's reach.
Roy E. Disney Resigns, Initiating 'Save Disney' Campaign
Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, resigned from the board, publicly criticizing Eisner's leadership and launching a campaign to oust him.
Receives 43% No-Confidence Vote from Shareholders
At an annual meeting, 43 percent of voting shareholders expressed a lack of confidence in Eisner, leading to a new chairman of the board being appointed.
Resigns as CEO of The Walt Disney Company
Eisner formally stepped down as CEO, a year before his contract expired, and was succeeded by Bob Iger.
Founds The Tornante Company
After leaving Disney, Eisner established The Tornante Company, a private investment firm focused on media and entertainment ventures.
Tornante Company Acquires The Topps Company
Through Tornante, Eisner partnered with Madison Dearborn Partners to acquire Topps, the iconic bubble-gum and collectibles firm.
Tornante Company Completes Purchase of Portsmouth F.C.
Eisner's Tornante Company completed the acquisition of Portsmouth F.C., an English football club, for a reported fee of £5.67 million.
Sells Topps Trading Card Business to Fanatics
Tornante Co. sold the trading card business of Topps Co. Inc. to Fanatics for approximately $500 million, following Topps' loss of Major League Baseball licensing rights.
Tornante Launches 'Long Story Short' on Netflix
Eisner's Tornante Company launched the animated comedy series 'Long Story Short' on Netflix, which was subsequently renewed for a second season in 2025.
Comments on Disney World's 'Wild' Overpricing
Eisner publicly stated he is 'not wild about the fact that it's so expensive now to go to Disneyland or Walt Disney World.'
Admits Hollywood 'Failed' at Early Video Game Development
During a Paley Center for Media discussion, Eisner acknowledged that Hollywood, including Disney, struggled to successfully translate intellectual property into video games in the early days.
Provides Update on Portsmouth F.C. Stadium Expansion
As owner of Portsmouth F.C., Michael Eisner admitted that expanding Fratton Park is not a current priority for the club.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Michael Dammann Eisner's career in the entertainment industry spans over four decades, marked by significant leadership roles at major networks and studios. He began his ascent at ABC, where he played a crucial role in elevating the network's programming across primetime, daytime, and children's television. In 1976, he moved to Paramount Pictures as president, transforming the studio into a box office and profitability leader with a string of hit films and successful television productions.
Eisner's most impactful role began in September 1984 when he became Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. During his 21-year tenure, he is credited with revitalizing the struggling company, overseeing a period known as the 'Disney Renaissance' with critically acclaimed animated films like 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' and 'The Lion King.' He expanded Disney's empire through theme parks, cruise lines, television networks, and acquisitions, including ABC and a majority share of ESPN, growing the company's market value from $1.8 billion to $80 billion.
However, Eisner's later years at Disney were fraught with controversy. Public feuds with former associates like Jeffrey Katzenberg and dissatisfaction with his management style culminated in the 'Save Disney' campaign, spearheaded by Roy E. Disney, nephew of the company's founder. This shareholder revolt led to a significant no-confidence vote in March 2004, and Eisner announced his premature resignation in September 2004, formally stepping down in September 2005.
Following his departure from Disney, Eisner founded The Tornante Company in 2005, a privately held investment firm focused on media and entertainment. Through Tornante, he acquired The Topps Company, a prominent collectibles firm, in 2007, later selling its trading card business to Fanatics in January 2022 after losing Major League Baseball licensing rights. Tornante has also invested in and produced adult animated series such as 'BoJack Horseman,' 'Undone,' 'Tuca & Bertie,' and the recently renewed 'Long Story Short' on Netflix.
As of August 2026, Eisner remains active in the business and entertainment world. He is the owner and Chairman of Portsmouth F.C., an English football club, and recently provided an update on the club's stadium expansion plans. He has also publicly shared his views on the current state of Disney, expressing concern over theme park pricing in February 2026 and offering advice to the new Disney CEO, Josh D'Amaro. In July 2026, Eisner reflected on Hollywood's past struggles with video game development, admitting that traditional entertainment companies 'all failed' in their early attempts to translate intellectual property into games.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Michael Dammann Eisner made different choices?