What will Nelson Peltz, the hyper-aggressive activist hedge fund investor also known as “The Smiling Crocodile,” do next? That’s become one of the great questions looming over the media industry these days. Last year, Nelson and his hedge fund, Trian Partners, accumulated around a $900 million equity stake in Disney, advocated for a bunch of changes, and then began a proxy fight to get a seat on the company’s board of directors. Earlier this year, though, Nelson decided to end the proxy fight after Bob Iger gave him a number of concessions that he was hoping for: $5.5 billion in cost cuts; the elimination of 7,000 jobs; and a potential return of the Disney dividend, which was chopped during the pandemic. “Disney plans to do everything we wanted them to do,” Nelson told CNBC in February.
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Hollywood
Can ‘Melania’ Open?
Movie Theaters Want a Ted Sarandos Blood Oath
How Netflix’s Sony Deal Explains Its Warners Pursuit
Kathleen Kennedy’s Final Episode
The Math Behind Combining Hulu and Disney+
Kevin Spacey’s $80M Legal House of Cards
Can John Landgraf’s Slow TV Model Survive?
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Hollywood
20 Surefire, 100 Percent Probable Hollywood Predictions for 2026 (Part Two)
It Was One Box Office Battle After Another in 2025
Netflix’s Game of Antitrust Chicken
20 Surefire, 100 Percent Probable Hollywood Predictions for 2026 (Part One)
The CAA-Range Finale, Zaz’s $500M Beef & Trump’s Media Damages Calculator
Hollywood’s Heroes of the Year Are… The Warner Bros. Duo
Hollywood’s Villain of the Year Is… Sam Altman
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Hollywood
The Oscars-YouTube Brand Problem
Does Anyone Believe Ted Sarandos on Theaters?
Disney’s Sora Wager & Hollywood’s Next A.I. Legal Battles
Who Wants Warner Bros. More?
Alan Horn Remembers Rob Reiner
Why Netflix Needs Warner Bros.