Disney Layoffs: Jeffrey R. Epstein, Longtime VP of Corporate Communications and Spokesperson for D23 Fan Club, Among the Ousted

thewrap.com:

co-hosted a D23-themed podcast, “D23 Inside Disney,” along with Oh My Disney’s Sheri Henry. News of the ouster came from six separate sources with knowledge of the situation.

Disney has not returned TheWrap’s request for comment. In addition to D23, Epstein co-founded the popular Gay Days at Disneyland, an early and pioneering LGBTQ+ outing that was eventually endorsed by the company.

The first event was held in 1998 and drew 2,500 people; by 2021 it drew 30,000 daily visitors and was a fully prepared weekend full of activities like screenings, lectures and celebrity guests.In recent years, he gained notoriety and a following on social media for repeatedly asserting that he’s not that Jeffrey Epstein, referring to the late convicted sex offender and financier.

He also cultivated a strong relationship with many Disney fans, having been one for many years himself, even hosting an early YouTube series for the company called “Disney Geek.”Epstein’s dismissal was part of companywide layoffs that impacted Elizabeth Newman, VP of Development who was based at 20th Television while overseeing Creative Acquisitions for Disney Television Studios; Mark Levenstein, SVP Production for Hulu; Jayne Bieber, SVP Production Management & Operations for Freeform; and nearly the entire Disney metaverse team.