Ron W Miller

Ron Miller, whose visionary yet turbulent tenure in charge of the legendary Walt Disney Co. that his father-in-law founded led to the creation of Touchstone Pictures, the Disney Channel, the Epcot theme park and a slew of Disney movie classics, has died. He was 85. Miller died in February 2019 in Napa, California, the Walt Disney Family Museum announced. He was the president of the board of directors at the museum that was founded in 2009 by his late wife, Diane, Walt Disney's oldest daughter. As Disney president from 1978-83 and then CEO 1983-84, Miller pushed for more daring and mature films from the studio. His 18-month tenure as CEO ended with his resignation after an unsuccessful takeover attempt of the company and criticism from investors and those perturbed by his vision. He was replaced by Michael Eisner and Frank Wells in a decision supported by Walt's nephew Roy E. Disney. Ronald William Miller was born in Los Angeles on April 17, 1933. His mother worked at Hoffman's Chocolates and his father at Goodyear. He received a football scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he met Diane on a blind date in 1953. They wed seven months later, and they were married for 56 years until her death in 2013 at age 79. After leaving Disney in 1984, he and his wife settled in Napa Valley, where they had developed the renowned Silverado Vineyards Winery. Survivors include his seven children, Christopher, Joanna, Tamara Diane, Jennifer, Walter Elias, Ronald and Patrick; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.