Dana Walden Biography
Dana Walden born Dana M. Freedman is an American businesswoman and the Chairman of ABC Entertainment and Disney Television Studios. Walden earned a degree in communications from the University of Southern California.
Dana Walden Career
Following her graduation, Dana Walden worked for the public relations firm Bender, Goldman & Helper as Larry Goldman’s assistant. Walden spent five years there, rising to the role of vice president. She then managed marketing and communications for talk show host Arsenio Hall.
She worked on campaigns for Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Arsenio Hall Show. In 1992, media executive Lucie Salhany recruited Walden to work in public relations for 20th Century Fox Television. Following a “Jerry Maguire moment” during a presentation at a Fox corporate retreat in the mid-1990s, Dana was made a programming executive.
Walden and Gary Newman were made co-chairs and CEOs of the Fox studio in 1999. In 2014, the pair were promoted to chairperson-CEOs of Fox Television Group.
In October 2018, it was announced that Dana would leave Fox after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s key entertainment assets by The Walt Disney Company, and become a chairwoman of Disney Television Studios and the Disney-ABC Television Group.
The acquisition excludes the Fox Broadcasting Company itself, which will be led by AMC’s Charles Collier. In one of first decisions as head of Disney programming after the merger with Fox was approved in March 2019, she signed writer, director and producer Drew Goddard to an exclusive, multiyear contract with Fox Television.
Other roles
Dana is a boardmember of the Los Angeles Zoo. She is a supporter of the animal rescue organization Chance for Bliss. Walden also serves on the board of Live Nation Entertainment.
Dana Walden Age
Walden was born on October 13, 1964 in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is 59 years old as of 2023.
Dana Walden Height
Walden stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Dana Walden Family
Walden was born to a Jewish family in Los Angeles in 1964. Her father was in the travel industry and her mother was a dancer. As a teenager, she rode show hunters competitively.
Walden’s grandmother Rose Freedman was a survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire who lived to 107.
Dana Walden Husband
Walden is married to Matt Walden since 1995. The couple has two children and they reside in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Dana Walden Net Worth/ Salary
Being the chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment, there is no doubt Walden earns a good salary. He has an estimated net worth of $1 million.