Robert A. Daly has led such renowned organizations as CBS Entertainment, Warner Bros., Warner Music Group, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Today he remains involved in the entertainment industry, while also devoting considerable time to charitable work. In October 2009, he was elected Chair of the AFI Board of Directors, an organization he has been involved with for many years.
Daly completed his term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Save the Children on February 28th, 2010. In his five years as Board Chair, he oversaw annual program growth averaging 13.5 percent, with 48 million children served in 2008, and operating revenue growth per year of 11 percent. He also spearheaded the creation of Save the Children's first domestic response unit in the United States, which has proven successful in responding to disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike. In his final months as Chairman, Daly was actively involved in the Haitian earthquake relief effort.
In addition, Daly serves as President of Rulemaker, Inc., an investment consulting company. He funded – and is Chairman of – the LA Chapter of DonorsChoose, an organization which provides material assistance to teachers in the public school system and whose slogan is, "Teachers ask. You choose. Students learn."
Prior to February 2004, Daly served as Managing Partner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers, overseeing all operations of the organization. Daly has had a lifetime passion for the ball club that began when he rooted for the Dodgers in his native Brooklyn and was strengthened once he moved to Los Angeles in 1977. During the four year period Daly ran the organization, he took great pride in rebuilding the farm system. Daly and his partners sold the team in 2004 and he remains a fan.
Daly went to the Dodger organization after 19 years at Warner Bros. He joined Warner Bros. on December 1, 1980 as Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer. One year later, he was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and appointed Terry Semel President and Chief Operating Officer. Together, they started what is considered "the most enduring and successful partnership in the history of the entertainment industry." Daly resumed his previous title on March 30, 1994, when he announced he would share his office with Semel. On November 16, 1995, Daly and Semel added the Warner Music Group to their responsibilities and also became Chairmen and Co-Chief Executive Officers, Warner Music Group. On July 15, 1999, Daly and Semel announced they would not seek to renew their contracts with Time Warner, which expired at year's end.
During the Daly/Semel era at Warner Bros., they were credited for 16 consecutive years of record earnings; for more than 400 major motion pictures (that garnered 13 Best Picture Oscar nominations, three of which were winners: CHARIOTS OF FIRE, DRIVING MISS DAISY and UNFORGIVEN); for thousands of hours of top-rated, top-quality and record-breaking television series (including China Beach, Murphy Brown, Friends, and ER); for creating the current model of co-financing motion pictures while retaining worldwide distribution; and for extending and revitalizing such world renowned brands as Batman, Superman and Looney Tunes characters into franchises, licensing powerhouses and worldwide retail stores. Other accomplishments by Daly and Semel include developing the leading distribution operations in the world for feature films, television and home video as well as the emerging technologies; pioneering the creation and use of DVD; creating The WB Network; being at the forefront of marketing films, series and animation on the Internet; and for generally diversifying the studio into a global leader in every aspect of the entertainment industry.
Daly and Semel and their extraordinary partnership were immortalized on September 30, 1999 as the pair put their hands and footprints in the same cement square in the forecourt of the famed Chinese Theater, only the second studio executives in history to do so.
Daly moved to Warner Bros. from CBS Entertainment, where he had served as President since October 1977. During his years as President, he brought CBS back to #1 in the ratings. In addition to his duties as the head of the Entertainment Division, Daly was also responsible for CBS Theatrical Films, which was formed in October 1979 and immediately was considered a major motion picture producer. During his 25-year association with CBS, Daly served in various posts, including Executive Vice President of CBS Television Network and Vice President of Business Affairs.
Daly is also a Founding Director of the Geffen Playhouse.
Daly attended Brooklyn College and Hunter College and received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute as well as a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Trinity College. He is married to multi-award winning songwriter and artist Carole Bayer Sager. Daly has three grown children from a previous marriage, a step-son and eight grandchildren.
updated 9.21.22
