Dana Walden Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

William Earl After the shocking news that Peter Rice has been ousted as the head of TV content for Disney, and will be replaced by his top lieutenant, Dana Walden, media insiders are left scratching their heads and speculating about the behind-the-scenes dealmaking taking place. For the uninitiated, Variety has put together a primer on the incoming and outgoing heads of Disney television.*Bio:Born and raised in the U.K., Rice’s family was close to Rupert Murdoch’s family, which lead to a Fox film internship in 1987.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek and his leadership team have the “support and confidence” of the company’s board of directors, according to a statement by Chairman Susan Arnold.

The New York Times, his departure is not due to any behavioral issues. In a statement that pointedly does not acknowledge Rice’s years of service, Disney announced that Walden will become chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content, effective immediately.

shakeup of its TV division.“The strength of The Walt Disney Company’s businesses coming out of the pandemic is a testament to Bob’s leadership and vision for the company’s future,” the board said in a written statement.

UPDATED: Disney has confirmed the exit of Peter Rice and the ascension of Dana Walden. Release is below.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorIn a shocking turn of events, Peter Rice has been ousted as head of TV content for Disney, to be replaced by his top lieutenant, Dana Walden.Rice, who served as chairman of general entertainment content, came to Disney with the acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, as did Walden.

When voters go to the polls Tuesday for Los Angeles’ primary election, they are likely to advance two mayoral candidates to the general election: Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and developer Rick Caruso.

Twenty-four hours before his win for Best Documentary Feature would result in one of the most powerful speeches of this year’s Oscar night, Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson and his Summer of Soul team gathered at an intimate brunch in the picturesque gardens of Dana Walden’s Brentwood estate. Walden was there, along with Peter Rice, Matthew Greenfield, David Greenbaum and other high-level Disney executives. Even Disney CEO Bob Chapek put in an appearance.

Wilson Chapman editorAfter almost 20 years of medical emergencies and juicy drama, “Grey’s Anatomy” is gearing up for its landmark 400th episode this May.Set to air on May 26, the 400th episode of the series will air as a two-part Season 18 finale. The episode’s plot remains unknown, but will feature the return appearance of cast members Jesse Williams and Sarah Drew, as the super couple Jackson and April (aka “Japril”).

UPDATED, 12:02 PM: Vice President Kamala Harris’ office said today that she has tested negative for Covid, six days after a positive test.

Dana Walden knew she was part of a historic Hollywood moment when she drove onto the Disney lot the following day for the first time as an employee. The executive, who is now chairman of entertainment for Walt Disney Television, knew she had an enormous job to integrate two studios — 20th Television and what was then ABC Studios — in addition to steering ABC Entertainment and adding Hulu Originals soon after she started.

Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for Covid, the White House said on Tuesday.

With Democrats facing a tough midterm cycle, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be back in their Los Angeles hometown tonight for a top-dollar, in-person fundraiser.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Dancing with the Stars would be moving to Disney+ after sixteen years on ABC.

After 16 years and 30 seasons of paso dobles and cha-cha-chas, “Dancing With the Stars” will be exiting ABC for a new home at Disney+.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer“Dancing With the Stars” is moving to Disney Plus after airing for 30 seasons airing on ABC, Variety has confirmed.The show has received a two-season renewal at the Disney-owned streaming service for Seasons 31 and 32, with the new season to debut in the fall. “DWTS” will be the first live series to stream on Disney Plus.Variety has confirmed the series will not air repeats on ABC and strictly be available via Disney Plus.“’Dancing with the Stars’ has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution.

Selome Hailu Danny Feldheim has been named senior vice president of comedy development at ABC Signature. In the role, Feldheim will lead the studio’s comedy team and report to Tracy Underwood, who serves as executive vice president of comedy affairs.He joins ABC Signature after most recently serving as senior vice president at Paramount Plus and CBS All Access, where he worked across comedies and dramas and was involved in launching the streamer’s original series division.

A whole new era of the Kardashian-Jenner family is upon us!

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterBillionaire developer Rick Caruso filed to run for mayor of Los Angeles on Friday afternoon, ending months of speculation and shaking up the crowded race to succeed Eric Garcetti.A onetime Republican, Caruso is best known as the builder of the Grove and the Americana at Brand shopping centers, among others. He is also a former Los Angeles city commissioner, and has flirted with a run for mayor for the better part of two decades.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe race for mayor of Los Angeles has hardly begun, but Karen Bass has already taken a commanding lead among Hollywood donors.Candidates filed their contribution reports on Monday, when showed that Bass has spent much of the last few months winning over the creative community.Donors to her campaign include stars like Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, and Jennifer Garner. They include Hollywood’s most profligate political benefactors, like Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath, Alan and Cindy Horn, and Damon and Heidi Lindelof.

Grey’s Anatomy is a true phenomenon, beloved by audiences around the world. Whether they catch it live on , or stream it on Hulu or globally on or Star+, it’s clear that fans can’t get enough of brilliant creation,” said Dana Walden, chairman of entertainment for Walt Disney Television. “We have enormous faith in Shonda, Krista Vernoff, Ellen Pompeo, and the entire creative team to unlock new, untold stories that will continue to focus on modern medicine, tackle the issues that shape the world around us, and resonate deeply with loyal fans for years to come.”“I couldn’t be more excited that we get to keep telling the stories of Meredith, Bailey, Richard and all of the other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial for another season,” said Shonda Rhimes.

Walt Disney Television has hired a new President of Entertainment.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeIt’s high noon for Bryan Noon at Walt Disney Television, where he has joined as named president of entertainment, filling the position left vacant when Craig Hunegs departed the company in May.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLee Daniels has signed a new multi-year overall deal with 20th Television.Daniels has called the studio home since 2015 when he co-created the hit Fox drama series “Empire.” He then signed another deal with 20th TV in 2018, which was set to expire in June.“I’m beyond grateful to continue my partnership with 20th, Dana Walden, Karey Burke and their amazing team, all of whom have wholeheartedly supported my vision over the past seven years,” Daniels said.

Craig Hunegs is leaving Disney. The President of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television has decided to step down six months after a major restructure at the company.

Dana Walden has seen a lot of major changes during her time in the entertainment industry and she doesn’t see things slowing down any time soon.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorAfter adapting to COVID protocols last summer and fall, most of Disney’s TV productions have maintained virus transmission rates of less than 1%, making them “some of the safest places” in Los Angeles, Disney TV chief Dana Walden told a group of Harvard University undergrads on Sunday.Walden held a virtual Q&A Sunday morning as part of the annual Intercollegiate Business Convention organized by Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterRob Mills has been upped to executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, expanding his role to lead the newly formed alternative programming production unit, Walt Disney Television Alternative.“I am honored to be leading this new enterprise as our company continues its efforts to grow the direct-to-consumer business and build on our success at ABC,” said Mills.

writer-director Ryan Coogler for an exclusive TV deal and his first project is a series «based in the Kingdom of Wakanda,» ET can confirm.«It's an honor to be partnering with The Walt Disney Company. Working with them on was a dream come true,» Coogler said in a statement.

Hulu has renewed its flagship drama series The Handmaid’s Tale for a fifth season. The announcement was made Thursday by Dana Walden, Chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television, during the Disney Investor Day.