In his GMA sit-down with Robin Roberts, the former Disney CEO named his biggest win, talked about the Lakers and said he probably wouldn’t change a thing.
Bob Iger has been out of Disney’s top job for about seven months. He says he’s enjoying the slower pace.
“It’s definitely different. The days are quieter,” Iger told Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts in an interview that aired Wednesday, Oct. 21. “Life is in a way smaller in many respects, and I like that.”
Iger stepped down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company in March, GMA reported. Josh D’Amaro took over the job on March 18. Iger stays on as a senior adviser and board member until he retires Dec. 31, as PNP has reported.
Here’s part of the interview, from Good Morning America:
What does Bob Iger call his greatest accomplishment at Disney?
Keeping the 100-year-old company strong and handing it off in good shape.
“To have the opportunity not just to run the company like that, but to have the opportunity to grow the company and to strengthen the company,” Iger said. Handing it to a successor “in a very healthy state” would be “up there,” he added.
“That you know, I did no harm. In fact, I think I actually did some good,” he said.
He also pointed to the joy part of the job. “Having the opportunity to bring joy to the world, to entertain the world, was extraordinary, and that’s a nice legacy to leave,” Iger said.
Would Bob Iger change anything about his time at Disney?
He says probably not. Iger said he doesn’t spend a lot of time “second guessing.”
“I’ve always tried to learn from the mistakes that I made. It turned out pretty well, so I probably wouldn’t want to do anything differently,” he told Roberts.
He did admit to a few what-ifs. “Obviously, if I could go back and say, ‘Well, why didn’t we make that movie?,’ or, ‘Could have been better,’ there are a bunch of those,” he said. “But you don’t really have that luxury.”
What did Bob Iger do as Disney CEO?
A lot of buying. During nearly two decades as CEO, Iger brought Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox into Disney, GMA noted. He also launched Disney+.
He ran Disney from 2005 to 2020, then handed the job to Bob Chapek. Iger came back in November 2022 after Disney’s board pushed Chapek out, as PNP has reported.
Chapek’s memoir came out in late September and blamed Iger for his firing, as PNP reported. GMA’s write-up of the interview doesn’t mention Chapek.
Iger has his own book coming. One Last Time, about his second run as CEO, comes out March 2, 2027, as PNP reported Wednesday.
What is Bob Iger doing with the Lakers?
He’s now a co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside businessman Josh Kushner, GMA said.
The pair agreed in August to buy the team for a reported $12.5 billion, the most ever paid for a sports team, as PNP reported. Iger bought in as an individual, not through Disney.
He told Roberts the Lakers are another way to bring people together. Iger said he believes in “the value of convening people to have great experiences, and sports does that.”
His exact role with the team is still to be determined, he said. “People love to experience things together, and, you know, the Lakers are an incredible brand.”
What award is Bob Iger getting?
Next week, Iger will be honored as the 2026 PAC NYC Icon of Culture, GMA reported. The gala is at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, at the World Trade Center site in New York City.
“I’m receiving this award, in a way, as a means of recognizing the importance of culture in our world today,” Iger said. He said he’s “humbled” by it.
He said the world is “complicated often” and “creates a tremendous amount of anxiety.” So supporting the arts that bring people together “has never been more important,” Iger said.
Where can you watch Bob Iger’s GMA interview?
The interview aired on Good Morning America on ABC Wednesday. Clips are up on GMA’s website and YouTube channel.
Good Morning America streams live on Disney+, and episodes are on Hulu and Disney+ the next day for a limited time, according to What’s On Disney Plus.
So, quieter days, a basketball team and an arts award. Not a bad first few months off for the guy who ran the Mouse.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Good Morning America, Eboni Griffin and Danielle Genet (Oct. 21, 2026), the interview, Iger’s quotes, the Lakers and the PAC NYC award
Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 19, 2026), the interview preview, D’Amaro’s start date and Iger’s two runs as CEO
Pirates & Princesses (Aug. 12, 2026), the Lakers deal
Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 21, 2026), One Last Time and Iger’s retirement date
Good Morning America on YouTube (Oct. 21, 2026), the interview video
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