One of Walt Disney Co.’s most successful studio bosses has announced his retirement—joining an exodus of senior executives leaving the media and entertainment company.
Alan Horn, who helped bring When Harry Met Sally, The Shawshank Redemption and the Harry Potter films to the screen, will step down as chief creative officer at Disney Studios Content at the end of 2021.
Named chairman of The Walt Disney Studios in 2012, he had become co-chairman and chief creative officer in 2019 before shifting to the chief creative officer role this year.
An elder statesman of the business and Hollywood royalty, Horn isn’t expected to be replaced, according to reports, and his departure comes at a time of change that has seen Bob Chapek take over as chief executive of Disney (ticker: DIS) last year.
Horn is closely aligned to executive chairman Bob Iger, who is stepping down at the end of 2021. In July, Disney announced general counsel Alan Braverman and head of corporate communications Zenia Mucha will leave at the year-end, Variety reported.
Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, who both lead Disney studio Searchlight, and Disney television executive Gary Marsh also are among the departures, it has been reported.
Horn has presided over a period of significant growth for Disney’s Studio business and helped to oversee expansion into the production of original content for Disney’s key streaming services.
Iger and Chapek said in a memo to employees: “Alan led a talented and collaborative Studio team that is the best in the industry, and he has positioned them well for continued long-term success under [Chairman, Disney Studios Content] Alan Bergman and his senior leaders.
“While Alan has achieved tremendous success on behalf of the company, his overall impact far transcends the bottom line.”
Under Horn, Disney set box office records, including 20 films that surpassed the billion-dollar mark.