Michael Eisner: Disney

Michael Eisner stepped down as Disney CEO in 2005, but his legacy lives on. He took the reins in 1984 and during his 21 years of leadership grew Disney’s annual revenues from $1.5 billion to almost $31 billion.

Under his watch, the company opened several new theme parks worldwide, including Disney-MGM studios in 1989 — now Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998, both in Orlando, Fla. Eisner also spearheaded the Disney Cruise Line launch, a stage play division and multiple cable channels.