Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to Release Memoir Settling Scores

Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek will release a memoir next week detailing his tenure at the company and offering what is described as a "score-settling" account of his time at the helm. "Behind The Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth," published by Gallery Books, is scheduled for release on September 29, 2026.

The memoir is expected to shed light on the internal dynamics during Chapek's leadership, from his appointment in February 2020 to his dismissal in 2022. According to a preview by Variety, Chapek argues that his predecessor and successor, Bob Iger, was the "real reason" the board decided to remove him. Iger, who returned from retirement to reclaim the CEO position, is reportedly mentioned 121 times in the book, with Chapek alleging that Iger "stabbed him in the back."

Chapek, who spent nearly 30 years at The Walt Disney Company, began his career in 1993 as the marketing director for Home Entertainment. He held various key roles, including president of Disney Consumer Products and chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, before being named CEO.

His tenure as CEO began just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shutdown of Disney's parks, theaters, and cruise ships. The book reportedly details the challenges of navigating the company through these unprecedented times and the constant backlash he faced, leading him to question if he had become a scapegoat.

Chapek's memoir also addresses rising prices at Disney parks, a criticism he reportedly faced despite Iger having implemented similar measures. He is quoted in Variety as writing, "My abrupt dismissal hurt my reputation, leaving those close to me, outsiders, and some within the kingdom trying to figure out what I did wrong."

Chapek recounts his early life in Indiana, raised by his mother and his father, a World War II veteran. He was ultimately succeeded as CEO by Josh D’Amaro earlier in 2026.