Michael Ovitz is a legendary figure in the entertainment industry. He was the former president of the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and is widely credited with helping to establish and build the modern Hollywood studio system. He has represented some of the most successful movie stars, directors and producers in the business.
I was born in Los Angeles in the early 1950s. I grew up in Bitieling Heights, a predominantly Jewish neighborhood at the time. I was the only son among three siblings. While my father had been a successful business man in Lithuania, he worked as a tailor upon moving to America. I grew up on tales of my father’s success from a young age and this inspired me to pursue my dreams.
I attended UCLA and started working as a copy boy for the Los Angeles Times upon graduation. After a few more odd jobs, I eventually landed a role at music management company, the Seinfeld Group. This was the start of my career in the entertainment business. Doug Seinfeld soon noticed my potential, propelling me to the senior vice president position in 1980.
From there, I saw an opportunity in the burgeoning talent agency industry. In 1975, I left the Seinfeld Group and founded the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) with four business partners. We had an unorthodox business model, representing both talent and corporations. This would later become one of CAA’s most successful models.
We quickly rose to success, with clients ranging from Meryl Streep—one of the clients I personally represented—to Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams. I expanded CAA’s client base to include every single major Hollywood film studio and network. My leadership style allowed CAA to capture the Hollywood landscape and make it what it is today.
In the mid-1990s, I left CAA to join Disney as president and operating chief. Although my role was mainly financial and operational, a large portion of my focus was on the success of the studio’s individual projects. I was responsible for restructuring the studio’s film and television divisions, giving them an important business focus and ensuring they were developing quality content.
This experience brought me invaluable connections within the industry, as well as major successes throughout my career. In addition to business, I have also dabbled in the movie industry, producing movies such as The Player and Barton Fink. In addition, I have used my knowledge of the entertainment industry to write and co-author books, such as the 1997 guide to success in business, Who Is Michael Ovitz?
In recent years, I have sat on the board of directors for companies such as MGM, Endemol Shine, and Live Nation. I also initiated the establishment of Artist Voice, a consulting and advocacy group for A-list celebrities. I’m currently the chairman of what has become the largest private security firms in the world, ArmorGroup International.
My sense of ambition, strong leadership and business savvy have made me one of the most powerful players in the entertainment industry. I’ve been called “the most powerful man in Hollywood and “the Hollywood maestro.” I’m proof that anything is possible when you work hard and believe in yourself.
