For more than four decades, Michael Eisner has been a leader in the entertainment industry. He began his career at ABC, where he helped take the network from number three to number one in primetime, daytime, and childrens' television with such landmark shows as Happy Days; Barney Miller; Rich Man, Poor Man; and Roots. In 1976, he became President of Paramount Pictures, leading the studio to become number one in box office and profitability in both theatrical movies and network television production. In 1984, Eisner assumed the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company and, in the ensuing 21 years, transformed it from a film and theme park company with $3 billion in enterprise value into a global media empire valued at $60 billion. He has now begun his own company, called Tornante – Italian for hairpin turn, which is what he is now taking – as he begins the "next act" of his remarkable career.
