UPDATE 1-Disney names Rich Ross to head movie studios

* Ross to succeed Dick Cook, effective immediately

* No Disney Channel successor named

LOS ANGELES Oct 5 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) on Monday named Rich Ross, the head of Disney Channels Worldwide, to head its struggling movie studios after last month's abrupt departure of longtime chairman Dick Cook, effective immediately.

Ross, who had been mentioned as a successor to Cook in recent days, grew the U.S. Disney Channel into the top-rated kids cable network on shows like "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical" but has little experience making movies.

He expanded the kids TV brand into a total of 94 channels and channel feeds available in 163 countries and 32 languages.

He will oversee worldwide production, distribution and marketing for all Disney's film labels, including Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax and Disney/Pixar, as well as theatrical and music groups, Disney said in a statement.

Ross joined Disney Channel in 1996 as a programming and production executive and was promoted to president of the cable channel in 2004. Disney did not name a successor to Ross.

Cook left the studio on Sept. 18 after a 38-year career at the No. 1 U.S. entertainment company, privately telling staff he felt he no longer fit in. (Reporting by Gina Keating; Editing Bernard Orr)