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Disney Goes Gay With New Top Exec


Rich Ross x 180 (Getty) | Advocate.com

Rich Ross, the out president of Disney Channels Worldwide, has been appointed to run Walt Disney Studios. The acclaimed television executive will make the transition to movies, where he has the support of the powerful DreamWorks team of Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider.

“Steven and I are totally supportive of Rich,” Snider, the chief executive of DreamWorks, said in a telephone interview with The New York Times. “What he has done for the channel is extraordinary. You can’t help but notice the creativity and the robust effort that has gone into making that brand ubiquitous.”

In his 13 years with the Disney Channel, Ross pioneered the “tween” programming that appeals primarily to young audiences between the ages of 9 and 14. He is the force behind young stars and programming such as Zac Efron of High School Musical, Miley Cyrus of Hannah Montana, and the Jonas Brothers.

A profile of Ross in the Los Angeles Times this June mentioned his personal life with his long-term partner, Adam Sanderson.

“The 47-year-old Ross and his partner of more than 20 years, Adam Sanderson, live in the Hollywood Hills and have no children of their own,” reported the Los Angeles Times. “However, he maintains a close relationship with the 14- and 10-year-old daughters of his former roommate and best friend from Fordham Law, who serve as an informal focus group. He described Alexis and Dominique Teixeira as ‘truth meters.’”

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Brad Bailey
    Date posted: 10/6/2009 11:33:22 PM
    Hometown: Fayetteville

    Comment:

    I am delighted to see Mr. Ross take helm of Disney Channels Worldwide. He seems infinitely qualified for the position. However, I would hardly describe his appointment as "Disney Goes Gay." He was appointed by merit, not by sexual orientation.

  • Name: Allen
    Date posted: 10/6/2009 6:17:58 PM
    Hometown: Dallas

    Comment:

    We are already planning our trip to Disney World and Epcot!

  • Name: Preston
    Date posted: 10/6/2009 4:49:20 PM
    Hometown: Fishers, IN

    Comment:

    Thank Heavens, all of those shares of Disney stock that I didn't dump last year (when the market tanked, against the advice of my esteemed broker) may actually be worth something some day! One of us Gays to lead us poor shareholders out of the darkness brought about by the straights and the breeders...

  • Name: Ted Hayes
    Date posted: 10/6/2009 2:12:46 PM
    Hometown: Stone Ridge, NY

    Comment:

    Congratulations, Rich, but be prepared! The fundies will be screaming bloody murder.



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