Bob Iger on his vision for Los Angeles Lakers, life after Disney
More than six months after stepping down as the CEO of the Walt Disney Company in March, Bob Iger said his life today brings a welcomed change of pace.
"It's definitely different. The days are quieter," Iger told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts in an interview that aired Wednesday. "Life is in a way smaller in many respects, and I like that."
Iger spent nearly two decades as CEO, a tenure which included welcoming Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox to the Disney family, as well as launching the company's Disney+ streaming service.
When asked by Roberts what he considers his greatest accomplishment at Disney, Iger expressed pride in having maintained the legacy of the 100-year-old company.
"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 and to hand it off to a successor, in a very healthy state, for instance, certainly, I think that would be up there," Iger said. "That you know, I did no harm. In fact, I think I actually did some good."
He continued, "In addition to that, through the years of running the company, having the opportunity to bring joy to the world, to entertain the world, was extraordinary, and that's a nice legacy to leave."
Iger also reflected on things he would have changed about his tenure at Disney, saying he doesn't spend much of his 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 said. "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. But you don't really have that luxury."
In his next chapter, Iger is still bringing experiences to people, this time on the basketball court, as a new co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers with businessman Josh Kushner.
"We really believe in today's world in the value of convening people to have great experiences, and sports does that. We know that," Iger said, adding that his role with the Lakers is still to be determined. "People love to experience things together, and, you know, the Lakers are an incredible brand."
Iger is also moving forward in his next chapter by promoting causes close to his heart.
Next week, he'll be honored as the 2026 PAC NYC Icon of Culture at the third annual PAC NYC Icons of Culture Gala, presented by BNY, at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, a cultural center at the reimagined 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, particularly the importance of art and culture," Iger said. "I'm humbled by the fact that I'm getting the award, but it's wonderful to be able to be able to accept it as a means of helping this great organization and this great place."
Just as he did at the helm of Disney, Iger said he continues to see the importance of arts and culture in bringing joy to people.
"I think in today's world, which we know is complicated often, and creates a tremendous amount of anxiety, the ability to support the arts that ultimately bring people together and share great common experiences, I think has never been more important," he said.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.
