Donn Tatum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
January 9, 1913
Donn Tatum | |
|---|---|
 Tatum c. 1963 | |
| Born | Donn B. Tatum January 9, 1913 |
| Died | May 31, 1993 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entertainment industry executive |
| Years active | 1956–1992 |
| Title | President, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company (1968–1980) |
| Term |
|
| Predecessor | Roy O. Disney |
| Successor | Card Walker |
Donn B. Tatum (January 9, 1913 – May 31, 1993) was an American businessman and the first non-Disney family member to be an executive of Walt Disney Productions. Tatum held senior leadership positions with Disney for 25 years, becoming president from 1968 to 1971, when he became CEO from 1971 until 1976. His final position was "Director Emeritus" from 1992 until his death. He played a major role in the creation of the Walt Disney World Resort, EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland.
Tatum was born on January 9, 1913.[1] He grew up in Los Angeles and graduated magna cum laude from Stanford University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and earned two law degrees from Oxford University. He passed the California bar in 1938 and became involved in entertainment law at Lillick, Geary and McHose.
He held a number of positions and was counsel for RCA, NBC and ABC. He became general manager of KABC-TV in Los Angeles and Western television director for ABC.
His daughter Melantha Kathleen Tatum-Bobrick[2] is the mother of the actor and filmmaker Daniel Sea.[3]
Walt Disney Company
Tatum joined Disney as production business manager in 1956 and in 1971, became chief executive and board chairman following the death of Roy O. Disney — becoming the first non-Disney family member to head the company. Tatum was CEO until November 1976 and chairman.
On June 3, 1980, he retired as chairman and CEO of Disney Productions turning over the company to Card Walker. He stayed on the Disney board as executive committee chair.[4]
In 1993, Tatum was named a Disney Legend.[5]
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