Disney shareholders take their seats at the annual shareholders meeting in Philadelphia Wedneday, March 3, 2004. Disney chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner heads into the toughest annual meeting of his career as more than one in three shareholders withheld their support of Eisner's bid to serve another term on the board.
Disney chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner addresses shareholders at their annual meeting in Philadelphia Wednesday, March 3, 2004. Disney is under intense pressure from state pension funds and proxy advisory firms to split the chairman and CEO jobs.
Roy Disney, left, addresses a news conference with Stanley Gold at his side in Philadelphia Tuesday ,March 2, 2004. Disney and Gold, dissident ex-board members of The Walt Disney Co., said they will continue their battle to unseat chairman and CEO Michael Eisner beyond the company's official annual shareholders meeting Wednesday if the board does not fire him.
Ex-Disney board member Roy E. Disney addresses a meeting of those opposed to the leadership of The Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, Tuesday, March 2, 2004 in Philadelphia. Disney and Stanley Gold said Tuesday they will work as long as it takes to oust Disney chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner, who they say has mismanaged the media company.
Walt Disney's Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer, left, shares a light moment with Roy E. Disney, vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company, during a break in their stroll through Animal Kingdom Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., during dedication ceremonies for the new theme park.
Senator George J. Mitchell, center, chairman of the peace talks in Northern Ireland, holds a crystal harp for the 1998 Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Irish Fund as he is flanked by presenters Roy E. Disney, left, vice chairman of the board of The Walt Disney Company, and Michael Eisner Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Michael Eisner poses in front of Disneyland's California Adventure, a new $1.4 million addition to the amusement park in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 19, 2001. California Adventure occupies what used to be the asphalt expanse of the Disneyland parking lot.
Microsoft Corp. Chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates, second left, welcomes The Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, far right, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse to the stage during the launch of MSN 8 software, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, in New York's Central Park. The two companies plan to share revenues from the dialup-only service, which includes a Disney-centric version of MSN and a smattering of free Disney content.
Michael Eisner, left, shakes hands with Thomas Murphy, chairman of Capital Cities-ABC ,during a news conference in New York Monday, July 31, 1995. In a seismic jolt to the entertainment world, Disney will acquire Capital Cities-ABC Inc. in a $19 billion merger that combines the legendary creator of fantasy with the top-rated TV network.
Flanked by Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, left, "Ransom" star Mel Gibson peers out at photographers at the world premiere of the film, Friday, Nov. 1, 1996, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles.
Michael Eisner presents Kathie Lee Gifford with an Emmy-like statue of Mickey Mouse during tributes to her at her last appearance as co-host of "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee," in New York, Friday July 28, 2000. After 15 years of chatter, camaraderie and controversy, Gifford bid farewell Friday to co host Regis Philbin and their morning talk show.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush take their seats at the start of an entertainment gala at the historic Ford's Theatre in Washington, Sunday evening, March 2, 2003. Seated next to the president is Michael Eisner, chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
Jackie Autry, right, widow of former Anaheim Angels owner Gene Autry, celebrates with Disney CEO Michael Eisner after the Angels defeated the San Francisco Giants' in game 7 of the World Series Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002, in Anaheim, Calif.
Fist lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hugs Alberto Cruz, right, after he sang "When You Wish Upon a Star" during the 25th anniversay rededication of Walt Disney World Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1996, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Michael Eisner holds an umbrella for Mrs. Clinton.
Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse, are seen at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003.
Michael Eisner, left, listens to New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani inside the Fifth Avenue Disney Store following its grand opening Wednesday, May 22, 1996. The 40,000-square-foot, three-story retail rival to the Warner Store, is about eight times larger than than Disney's average mall store and marks Disney's first step in Manhattan.
A June 1976 photo of Michael D. Eisner, who wa s then senior vice president for Prime Time Production and Development, ABC Entertainment.