Former chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, Dick Nunis, dead at 91
Disney Legend Dick Nunis, the former chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, passed away on Dec. 13, 2023 surrounded by his family, The Walt Disney Company announced. He was 91.
Nunis, who began his career at Disneyland in 1955, was instrumental in guiding the growth of Walt Disney’s outdoor entertainment enterprise from a single park in Anaheim into what today has grown to become a world-class global theme park and resort business.
His legacy includes significant milestones in Disney theme park history including the development of “Project X,” which eventually became the Walt Disney World Resort.
On May 26, 1999, exactly 44 years to the day after he joined the company, Nunis retired as chairman of Walt Disney Attractions. That same year, he was honored with a window on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland and was named a Disney Legend. Nunis’ window, located above Disney Showcase, reads: “Coast to Coast Peoplemoving, World Leader in Leisure Management, Dick Nunis, Proprietor, Founded 1955, Offices Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Wave Machines a Specialty.”
“Today, we mourn the passing of Dick Nunis, a true Disney Legend whose contributions to The Walt Disney Company have touched the lives of millions of people all over the world,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “What started as a summer job training future Disneyland employees would ultimately become a storied 44-year career at Disney. Dick took the values and philosophies he learned directly from Walt and incorporated them into everything he did at Disney. We are grateful for his many achievements and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
