Ex Disney boss gets star
2008-04-29 16:02
Los Angeles - Mickey and Minnie Mouse were on hand when former Disney CEO Michael Eisner got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Eisner gained fame in Hollywood both as president of Paramount Pictures and CEO of The Walt Disney Co.
At a ceremony on Friday, he credited John Travolta with much of his success.
"I am overwhelmed and I want to thank John Travolta for flying here from a film shoot," Eisner, 66, said.
"Anything John was associated with while I was at Paramount was a hit. He is my lucky stone. And my success is also tied to the people I worked with."
Travolta, who starred in Paramount's '70s hits Grease and Saturday Night Fever, said he "jumped at the chance" to honour Eisner.
"I consider it an honour to be a part of this as he has done so much for my career," Travolta gushed.
Kudos from Disney came in the form of the iconic Mickey and Minnie, and an appearance by Disneyland's band.
Box office hits
Eisner became president of Paramount in 1976, ushering in box office smashes, such as Raiders of the Lost Ark.
He began his career in TV at the American Broadcasting Co before heading Paramount. He left to take the helm at Disney from 1984 until stepping down in 2005.
Under Eisner's longtime leadership, Disney opened theme parks in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong, acquired ABC and Miramax Pictures, developed the Disney Cruise Line and created Walt Disney Theatrical Productions.
However, Disney's board stripped Eisner of his chairmanship.
Shareholders rebuked him in 2004 after a revolt led by former board members Roy E Disney and Stanley Gold.
In 2005, Eisner founded Tornante Co, a private company investing in media and entertainment opportunities.
He then created Vuguru, a new media studio. Tornante and Madison Dearborn Partners LLC acquired baseball card and candy maker Topps Co last October.
- AP