Kevin Tsujihara
Who is the Warner Bros. CEO that is stepping down? Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment Kevin Tsujihara and wife Sandy Tsujihara attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

On March 6, an article emerged that revealed an alleged sexual relationship between Warner Bros. Entertainment Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara and actress Charlotte Kirk. The report suggested the relationship led to the executive pushing for Charlotte to get auditions, resulting in small roles in films “How To Be Single” and “Ocean’s 8.”

And now, according to Hollywood Reporter, Kevin Tsujihara is now exiting Warner Bros. as a result of the report.

Tsujihara, 54, has been a long-time exec at Warner Bros. and is married to Sandy Tsujihara with two children – Matthew and Morgan. He graduated from USC in 1986 with a degree in business administration. He went on to earn his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1992.

In 1994, Tsujihara was brought on by Warner Bros. as Director of Special Projects and Finance to assist with Warner’s interest in Six Flags theme parks. He would then go on to serve as Executive Vice President of Corporate Business Development & Strategy, Executive Vice President of New Media, and President of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. In 2013, he was named Warner Bros. CEO, making him the first Asian American to lead a major studio.

The year also saw Tsujihara strike a four-year deal with Brett Ratner’s production company, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, to help finance several films. However, after Ratner was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, Warner would cut ties with RatPac-Dune and has recently bought back the company’s minority stake in several films for $290 million,

Regarding Tsujihara’s exit, WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey stated the move was “in the best interest” of the company and its partners. “Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him,” Stankey continued. “Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the Company’s leadership expectations and could impact the Company’s ability to execute going forward.”

Warner Bros. has not revealed who will replace Tsujihara as Chairman and CEO.

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