Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 266 Disney's Tragedy

On Easter Sunday in 1994, Disney President Frank Wells was killed in a helicopter crash while skiing in Nevada.

Frank Wells went there with his good friend Clint Eastwood, but an hour before the crash, Clint Eastwood left the ski resort!

Soon, the news of Frank Wells' death made the front page of the Los Angeles Times early the next morning.

Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner said, "No words can describe my shock and heartache upon receiving the news of Frank's passing."

"At the time, I went to the club with my wife Jane and son to play golf. After the event, just at dinner time, my secretary called to tell me that Mr. Frank Wells had passed away unexpectedly;"

"Frank went skiing in a remote area of Nevada on Easter and was involved in a helicopter accident on his way back.

"Frank was killed, and only one passenger on his helicopter survived. Frank was traveling with his sons, his climbing partner Dick Bass, and an actor, but by God, they were on another plane!"

"Frank was the ultimate embodiment of a life force that I know of. His wit, his charm, his boundless zest for experience and challenge, and his undeniably astonishing breadth of knowledge made him unique and exceptional. The world has lost a great entertainer."

Frank Wells's death is certainly a huge loss to Disney, because behind every one of Disney's many achievements over the years is Frank Wells;
Almost all the staff of the Disney Group are willing to work with Frank Wells, because Michael Eisner is notoriously difficult to get along with, but with Frank Wells, their relationship is very harmonious.

Moreover, Frank Wells also acted as a lubricant in the relationship between Michael Eisner and other Disney personnel;
Now that Frank Wells has passed away so suddenly, it is a big problem as to who will take over his work and position at Disney?
Among them, the most eye-catching one is Jeffrey Katzenberg who hopes to go further. According to the agreement between Michael Eisner, Frank Wells and Jeffrey Katzenberg last year, Katzenberg should take over Frank Wells' position;

After all, Disney verbally agreed to it last year in order to retain Jeffrey Katzenberg. Although Jeffrey Katzenberg did not want anything unfortunate to happen to Frank Wells, now that it has happened, Jeffrey Katzenberg is looking forward to the moment when Michael Eisner fulfills his promise.

Jeffrey Katzenberg arrived early in the morning at Disney headquarters in Burbank and sat in his office, staring at the phone on the table without blinking, waiting for Michael Eisner's call announcing the appointment.
Because President Frank Wells died unexpectedly, he was responsible for a lot of business and someone needed to take over immediately!

Jeffrey Katzenberg anxiously awaited a call from Michael Eisner, and every time the phone rang, he assumed it was Eisner calling him;

As time passed, other people from the studio arrived one after another to express their grief and to inquire whether there was any change in Jeffrey Katzenberg's position.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was trying to calm his employees and urge them to work hard, finally couldn't help himself and took the initiative to call Michael Eisner's office. It was Eisner's secretary who answered the phone, "Mr. Katzenberg, Mr. Eisner is participating in a conference call with the board of directors;"

"The board of directors is discussing the successor to Frank Wells and is preparing to have Michael Eisner serve as chairman, CEO, and president!" This news shocked Jeffrey Katzenberg. As the company's third-in-command, his status was second only to Michael Eisner and Frank Wells.
But for such an important matter, he didn't even get any information?

Then Jeffrey Katzenberg tried to focus on his work.

Finally, at 11: am, Michael Eisner called, and Jeffrey Katzenberg fully expected Eisner to talk to him about the successor;
As a result, Michael Eisner simply said that he would continue to attend the employee lunch meeting on Monday, and did not mention a word about Jeffrey Katzenberg!
As for Michael Eisner's decision to become president himself, it was partly to stabilize Wall Street and partly to send a strong signal to Jeffrey Katzenberg that Katzenberg had little hope of becoming president of Disney.

At the same time, after the conference call, Michael Eisner went directly to Frank Wells' office and took over all of his work.

That evening, Disney announced that Michael Eisner would concurrently serve as the company's president. From the company's internal decision to the media announcement, Disney did not involve Katzenberg in any way; he was completely excluded.
Faced with the facts, Jeffrey Katzenberg remained calm on the surface, but he was actually very frustrated and sad in his heart. The moment he saw the press release, he realized that his 19-year relationship with Michael Eisner, the experience, loyalty, hopes and dreams he had paid for it, were all over!

"He holds the positions of chairman, CEO, and president all in one," Aaron said, leaning back in his office chair at the Dawning headquarters.

"The king of Disney, Michael Eisner, is truly amazing."

Christiana Yeri poured Aaron a glass of wine and said, "Frank Wells' memorial service is being held at Disneyland in Anaheim."

Aaron nodded. "Any news on Jeffrey Katzenberg?"

"Yes, I heard that the two had a fierce quarrel inside Disney;"

"A lot of people thought Jeffrey Katzenberg would take over Frank Wells' position, but now he seems to be getting further and further away from Disney!"

Aaron smiled and said, "Not so soon. Frank Wells just passed away, and Disney is already a bit of a mess.

"Firing Jeffrey Katzenberg outright would only exacerbate the chaos at Disney."

Even if Michael Eisner dislikes Jeffrey Katzenberg, he will not take action until this chaotic period is over!

(End of this chapter)