Our People

Biography

Michael Eisner has been a leader in the American entertainment industry for four decades.  He began his career at ABC, where he helped take the network to number one in primetime, daytime and children's television. In 1976, he became president of Paramount Pictures, turning out a string of critically acclaimed and blockbuster films that positioned the studio as the most profitable in both theatrical movies and network television production.

In 1984 Michael 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 $1.8 billion in enterprise value into a global media empire valued at $80 billion.

In 2005, Michael began the "next act" of his career, by founding the Tornante Company; a privately held company that makes investments in and incubates companies and opportunities in the media and entertainment space.  Through the Tornante Company, he created Vuguru, a new media studio that produces world class content for the Internet and emerging digital platforms. Vuguru has produced successful original web series including the Broadband Emmy-nominated Prom Queen, The All-For-Nots, a ground-breaking collaboration with best-selling author Robin Cook, in Foreign Body, and most recently, Back on Topps with comedy twins Randy and Jason Sklar.

In July 2008, Nickelodeon purchased Glenn Martin DDS, Michael's first television series developed through his newly formed division of The Tornante Company - Tornante Animation. The program is expected to debut summer of 2009.

The Tornante Company holds an ownership stake in Veoh Networks, Inc., an innovative, new independent Internet television broadcasting system. In October 2007, The Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. acquired The Topps Company, Inc., a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery items.