Disney has appointed a gay man to run its movie studio business.

Rich Ross is Hollywood's first openly gay studio chief. Walt Disney Studios announced Ross' appointment on Monday.

The 47-year-old Ross previously headed Disney's television unit.

In a Los Angeles Times profile that appeared before his appointment, the paper reported that Ross lives in the Hollywood Hills with his partner of more than 20 years, Adam Sanderson.

Ross is credited with helping launch the careers of many of today's brightest young stars, including Shia LaBeouf, Zac Efron, the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus.

The new studio chief reportedly has the support of filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider.

“Steven and I are totally supportive of Rich,” Snider, the chief executive of DreamWorks, told the New York Times. “What he has done for the [Disney] channel is extraordinary. You can't help but notice the creativity and the robust effort that has gone into making that brand ubiquitous.”

Disney distributes many of the films produced by DreamWorks.