Disney cuts hundreds of corporate and IT jobs

Walt Disney has laid off several hundred employees across multiple divisions, as reported by Variety on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The staff cuts primarily affect human resources and information technology departments across corporate operations and operating units. The layoffs were initially reported by Deadline and subsequently confirmed by Variety, citing a person familiar with the matter.

This represents the third round of staff reductions at Disney this year since Josh D'Amaro took over as CEO in March. In earnings results for the quarter ended in June, D'Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston indicated that the company was evaluating cost-cutting measures, including headcount and administrative expenses. In a letter to shareholders published on August 5, the executives stated that reducing costs aims to free up capital for investments in growth segments.

The company previously eliminated roughly 1,000 jobs in April across marketing, studios, television, ESPN, products and technology, and corporate roles. Another round in July eliminated hundreds of roles in corporate teams, Pixar, ESPN, and Disney Entertainment Television. Variety noted that most studio reductions affected Pixar, while National Geographic saw the bulk of cuts in television. In August, Disney also offered early retirement packages to long-tenured executives.

Disney employed about 231,000 people at the end of fiscal year 2025, with approximately 172,000 in the United States and 59,000 internationally. In 2023, under former CEO Bob Iger, the company announced the elimination of about 7,000 roles to cut $5.5 billion in costs.