Bob Daly Resigns as Chairman of AFI Board (Exclusive)

After 17 years at the helm, Bob Daly will step down as chairman of the American Film Institute board at the next trustees meeting on Wednesday, October 21, Variety can exclusively report. Daly, former chairman and CEO of Warner Bros., joined the AFI board in April 1981 and was elected chairman on October 8, 2009. […]

After 17 years at the helm, Bob Daly will chair the American Film Institute's board of directors at its next trustees meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Variety can exclusively reveal.

Daly, the former chairman and CEO of Warner Bros., joined the AFI board in April 1981 and was elected chairman on October 8, 2009, succeeding co-chairmen John Avent and John Cook.

"In a career that has taken me from managing CBS to Warner Bros. and the Los Angeles Dodgers, I can honestly say that serving as AFI's chairman has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Daly said. "This is a board that represents all aspects of the film and television communities, and it's wonderful to see them with a shared passion for the art form. Long live AFI!" RELATED STORIES 'A Few Good Men' on Broadway: Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford and the team behind the revival on 'why it's so relevant' in the Trump era 'Social Research' First reactions: A 'solid sequel', Zuckerberg's 'good movie, just not great' and an 'H'

Dolly's extensive history in Hollywood touched some of the most powerful institutions in the entertainment business, including CBS Entertainment, Warner Music Group, the Los Angeles Dodgers and, of course, Warner Bros. He began his career at CBS in 1955 as an anchorman. He spent 25 years at the network and eventually served as the General Manager of Television. After his time at CBS, Daly joined Warner Bros. as chairman and CEO in 1980. During his 19 years at the studio, he and his CEO, Terry Semmel, achieved record 16 consecutive years of revenue. They also oversaw the release of 13 Best Picture Oscar nominations, winning three with Chariots of Fire, Driving Miss Daisy and Unforgiven. Popular in Variety

After his time at WB, Daly joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as president and CEO for four years, selling the team in 2004. Dolly also served as chairman of the charity Save the Children.

"Leadership is an art in itself - and in that regard, Mr. Daly is a master," said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazal. "Over the past forty years, no individual has had a greater impact on AFI's work of preservation, celebration, and education than Bob Daly—and we promise to move forward each day with a promise to do him proud."

Founded in 1967, AFI is a nonprofit organization created to preserve the legacy of motion pictures, to honor artists and their work, and to educate the next generation of storytellers. Former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy serves as chair of the AFI Board of Trustees, which includes Pam Abdi, Sean Austin, Alan Bergman, Halle Berry, Jim Breyer, James L. Brooks, Ava DuVernay, Jamie Ehrlicht, Mike Hopkins, Alan Horn, Michael LaJourdan, Michael Jordan, Don Engelbey, Brian Lord, Christopher Nolan, Edward James Olmos, Shanda Rhimes, Charles Rivkin, Jay Roach, Ted Saranos, Chris Silberman, Octavia Spencer, Steven Spielberg, Todd Wagner and Edward Zwick.