Disney Exec Shake-Up: Hendricks and Ross Exit

The president of physical production and EVP feature casting leave the studio

Bruce Hendricks, president of physical production at Walt Disney Studios since 1999, is leaving the company, TheWrap has confirmed.

Marcia Ross, EVP of feature casting, also is leaving.

The two are wrapping up projects over the next few months.

When Hendricks was hired, then-chairman Dick Cook said, "What makes Bruce unique in production is his talents and background as a filmmaker. He has been involved in virtually all aspects of production and is an accomplished producer/director in his own right. This gives him a unique perspective of the filmmaking process and a special understanding when it comes to working with directors."

Cook was fired in September 2009 and replaced by Rich Ross, who has been busy installing his own team.

Soon after Ross took over, motion picture group president Mark Zoradi, marketing chief Jim Gallagher and publicity planners Teri Meyer and Jasmine Madatian were out; Home Entertainment chief Bob Chapek was put in charge of distribution for all media platforms, and Greg Brandeau, formerly of Pixar, was named chief technology officer.

In January, 2010, Ross fired Oren Aviv, who had been president of production.

Before becoming president of physical production, Hendricks spent four years as EVP in charge of production for the motion picture divisions of Walt Disney Studios. Before that, he was senior VP of the division.

He joined Disney in 1985 as associate producer and production manager for The Disney Sunday Movie.

Before joining Disney, he worked in television, and was a producer on the ABC television series, "Me and Mom," and on several movies of the week. He also has worked as a director.

In his most recent job, he oversaw all physical aspects of production for movies produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures. At Disney, he supervised the making of more than 200 films, including "The Sixth Sense" and was executive producer of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films. He also directed "The Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience."

He won an Emmy for the ABC telefilm "The Wave."

Ross joined Disney in 1995. Before joining the company, she was VP talent and casting at Warner Bros. Television.

In a statement emailed to TheWrap, Ross said, "I am thrilled to return to my roots as a full time casting director. I've enjoyed an amazing career at Disney and was fortunate to work with some of the most talented actors, executives and filmmakers in the business. I look forward to continuing these relationships as well as establishing many new relationships throughout the entertainment industry."

The Los Angeles Times first reported the story.

 

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