According to a Deadline report, Richard Bates has died. He was 70 years old. Bates was the senior vice president of the Walt Disney Company, U.S. government relations. Bates took the position in 2010.
Bates worked at The Walt Disney Company for 29 years. Prior to his tenure at Disney, Bates was the executive director of the Democratic Congress Campaign Committee.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and CEO Bob Chapek have issued a joint statement on Bates’ death.
All of us at Disney are saddened by the sudden loss of our longtime colleague and dear friend Richard Bates. As head of our government relations team in Washington, DC, Richard was unparalleled in his field – widely respected for his incredible accomplishments and loved for his extraordinary kindness, compassion and irresistible humor. He was passionate about his work and approached it with the same sharpness and unwavering enthusiasm he showed when he first joined Disney three decades ago. For those of us who are fortunate enough to know Richard personally, his loss is great. He will be deeply missed, and our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Rose, their sons Ricky and Chris, and his entire family.
Bob Iger and Bob Chapek joint statement
Bates is survived by his wife, Rose, and sons Ricky and Chris.
This is the second death today in the extended Disney family. Earlier today, we reported on the death of Disney legend Ron Dominguez.