Michael Ovitz

Michael Ovitz is an American media executive, talent agent, and businessman. He has been hailed as one of the most powerful and influential figures in the entertainment industry and has worked with some of the biggest names in show business.

Ovitz began his career in the 1970s when he worked in the mailroom of the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles. It was here that he honed his skills in talent representation and eventually rose to become president of the agency in 1976. During his time at William Morris, he and three other senior agents broke away to launch their own talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, in 1975. Under Ovitz’s leadership, the company created revolutionary new ways to package and manage deals for talent, and soon CAA was the leader in its industry.

Ovitz left CAA in 1995 to become the president of The Walt Disney Company. During his tenure, the company experienced tremendous growth, increasing the value of its stock by 67 percent. However, in 1997, Ovitz’s high-octane style of leadership began to cause unrest with some shareholders, and he ultimately left the company in 1998.

Since then, Ovitz has mainly devoted his time to philanthropic causes. He is a major contributor to the Ovitz Family Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of children and improving education. Additionally, he is a leader in the investment field, often teaming up with private equity firms to acquire companies and make investments.

Ovitz has also embarked on a writing career, releasing his first book, Who Is Michael Ovitz?, in 2020. In the book, Ovitz shares his experiences in the entertainment industry and his journey to success. He provides an intimate look at how he managed relationships with agents, clients, and high-ranking executives, how he created revolutionary deals and strategies for talent, and why he left Disney to become a philanthropist.

As one of the most powerful influences in the entertainment industry, Ovitz offers an instructive and captivating look at how he achieved success, overcame hardships, and managed difficult relationships. His book serves as a must-read for readers interested in achieving success in the entertainment industry, as well as any aspiring professionals or entrepreneurs hustling to make their dreams come true.