Meet Thomas Washington, Disney’s First Black CEO: Did He Really Exist?

The final season of “Atlanta” ended in November 2022. As it did, lovers of the show couldn’t help but wonder about a character, Thomas Washington.

The character was played by talented actor Eric Berryman and had such depth many were forced to ask if it was based on an actual person or created by the writers. The character, created by Karen Joseph Adcock and Francesca Sloane, writers of the “Atlanta” episode that saw Washington appear, depicted the role of a black CEO at Walt Disney Studios.

The hit series ended in November 2022, and the episode that saw the introduction of Thomas Washington was voted one of the most interesting episodes of the show. The episode’s plot was so realistic that it made fans wonder if the character of “Thomas Washington” was based on a real person or just another written gem.

Keep reading to find the truth. 

Is Thomas Washington Real? 

No. Thomas Ronald Washington is a fictional character Karen Joseph Adcock, and Francesca Sloane created. Many have wondered if the character was based on a real-life person, and the answer is no. 

Some fans on social media have argued that the episode with Washington may have been based on Floyd Norman, one of Disney’s first black animators. However, Disney has never appointed a black CEO, which confirms that the character is fictional. It is possible that Norman, who still works as a creative at Disney, was an inspiration but never became CEO. 

Who Is Thomas Washington? 

Thomas Washington is a fictional character who appeared in the fourth season of the award-winning Hulu TV show, “Atlanta.” According to the series, Thomas Washington received an oversight appointment as the CEO of the legendary Walt Disney Company. 

The company hired Washington as its new CEO after the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Washington was an animator who recognized his passion for animation as a young boy. 

He attended the Savannah College of Art and Design with the intent of working for Disney. Little did he know that a mistake would make him the head of the enterprise.

A man named Tom Washington was to become CEO after the temporary CEO died during the 1992 riots. However, Thomas Washington ended up in the position accidentally because of how similar his name was to the favored candidate. 

Disney’s board of directors was forced to keep Washington as the CEO even though it greatly displeased them. It led to some changes within the corporation, including a foray into why “Mickey Mouse” kept “Pluto” as a pet when “Goofy” was also a dog. 

Thomas Washington’s Story

After Thomas Washington rose to the position of CEO by mistake, he created what he described as “the blackest movie of all time.” It was to address all the issues relating to African-American culture, and he named the project “A Goofy Movie.”

He also used his son as inspiration for one of the characters named “Max Goof.” Washington’s relationship with his wife and child deteriorated as the film production continued. He would verbally abuse them, and it eventually led to a divorce. 

As time passed, the directors started to doubt Washington’s ability to lead the company. He seemed unhinged and started showing characteristics of “Goofy,” including his signature chuckle. 

They tried to have him step down, offering him $75 million, but he declined. The original ending of his beloved movie, which saw “Goofy” and “Max” face police violence at a traffic stop, was seen as inappropriate and replaced with a new scene. 

It made Washington leave the company and, afterward, disappear. After his film’s conclusion, which was to be a message to blacks, was removed, he was never seen again.

Wahington was presumed dead, and his car was later located in the same lake where he had taken his kid fishing. However, his corpse was never recovered. The episode concluded with his widow admitting that he was able to create the “blackest movie of all time.” She also stated that his influence may still be felt to this day. 

The comical episode was the last one directed by Donald Glover and premiered on October 27, 2022. Other series like “Atlanta” include “Insecure,” which features Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, and Jay Ellis, “Dave,” which features Lil Dicky, and “Girls,” which features Lena Dunham.