Dick Cook
About
Biography
Biography
A long-time distribution executive who, in 1996, was given creative duties as well as named chair of the motion picture group at Walt Disney Studios, Richard Cook made a name for himself not just by running the Buena Vista distribution arm and seeing it top $1 billion in revenues from 1994, but also in planning and executing some of the most imaginative "event" promotions Hollywood has seen since the heyday of the 1930s and 40s. Cook, who reports directly to studio chair Joe Roth, began his career with the Disney Family as a ride operator at Disneyland in 1970. Staying with the company, he became a sales rep in 1971, and by 1974 was manager of sales for the theme park. Cook moved to the Disney studio operation in Burbank in 1977 as manager in the pay TV and non- theatrical division, where he is credited with much of the early planning for what would become The Disney Channel on pay TV. In 1980, Cook moved to Buena Vista Pictures Distribution--the releasing arm of the company--as assistant domestic sales manager, moving up the ladder until he became president of distribution in 1988. In 1994, Cook was given the added responsibility of marketing. Two years later, as chair of the motion picture group, he became responsible for all domestic and international marketing and feature film acquisition. The move came as Cook was being courted by the upstart DreamWorks SKG, and promoted him to number two (after Roth) in Disney's motion picture executive hierarchy.
Cook is credited with the launch of such films as "Pocahontas" (1995), with a premiere in New York's Central Park, and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996), shown in New Orleans amid a carnival atmosphere. Other hits under his distribution aegis have included "Angels in the Outfield" (1994) and "The Rock" (1996), among numerous others. Cook was also involved in Disney's restoration of the art deco El Capitan theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, which is now used as a movie theater as well as for stage shows, particularly those geared for young audiences.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Life Events
1970
Began working for Disney organization as ride operator at Disneyland
1971
Became sales representative for Disneyland
1974
Named manager of sales for Disneyland
1977
Moved to studio division as manager in the pay TV and non-theatrical division
1980
Named assistant domestic sales manager for Buena Vista Pictures
1988
Appointed president of Buena Vista
1994
Given responsibility for marketing as well as distribution
1996
Promoted to chair of the motion picture group at Disney
2002
Appointed as chairman of Walt Disney Studios
Family
