Charlie Rose - Michael Ovitz (original) (raw)

2002:

  1. An hour with Michael Ovitz about the entertainment industry
    Duration
    54 min
    Comments
    Rating
    * * * * *

Michael S. Ovitz is a former talent agent and Hollywood powerhouse who served as the head of the Creative Artists Agency from 1975 to 1995. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in theater, film, and television, Ovitz began his career at the William Morris Agency, but left with four other agents in 1975 to found Creative Artists Agency. While at CAA, he was responsible for pioneering the practice of “packaging” writers, directors, and actors for motion pictures. This practice led to CAA and its clients holding significant negotiating leverage over the major studios.

Ovitz is also well-known for negotiating David Letterman’s move from NBC to CBS, as well as for discovering the action star Steven Seagal. In 1995, he resigned from CAA to become president of the Walt Disney Company under chairman Michael Eisner. Today, Ovitz is a private investor who continues to informally advise the careers of luminaries such as Martin Scorsese, David Letterman, and Tom Clancy.

Source: Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ovitz