 |
David GeffenAmerican music producer, film and theater producer, philanthropist
Date of Birth: 21.02.1943
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of David Geffen
- Career in Entertainment
- Later Career and Philanthropy
- Recognition and Personal Life
Biography of David Geffen
Early Life and EducationDavid Geffen, an American music producer, film and theater producer, and philanthropist, was born in 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, to Palestinian immigrants Abraham Geffen and Batya Volovskaya. He attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn and then Santa Monica College, but he left before completing his education. He later enrolled in Brooklyn College and the University of Texas at Austin, but did not obtain a degree.
Career in Entertainment
Geffen's career in the entertainment industry began when he joined the William Morris Agency as an agent. However, he soon left the agency and started working independently. He became a personal manager for Laura Nyro and the rock band Crosby, Stills and Nash. In the early 1970s, Geffen founded his own company, Asylum Records, and signed artists such as The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Linda Ronstadt. He later struck a deal with Warner Bros. Records to create Geffen Records, which became highly successful and worked with artists like Elton John, Cher, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, and Aerosmith.
Later Career and Philanthropy
In 1995, Geffen co-founded DreamWorks SKG with Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, a multimedia empire involved in film, television, books, and music. In addition to his success in the entertainment industry, Geffen earned a reputation as a philanthropist, supporting the arts and making significant donations for medical research. He donated $5 million to UCLA's Westwood Playhouse, which was renamed Geffen Playhouse in his honor. Geffen's business interests expanded further when Geffen Records became part of Universal Music Group after the merger with MCA and DreamWorks.
Recognition and Personal Life
In 2004, Geffen was included in Forbes' list of the 400 richest Americans. He actively supported Barack Obama during the presidential race. Geffen is openly gay and was named one of the "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America" by Out magazine in 2007. He is also known for his collection of American art. Geffen owns a luxurious yacht named Geffen Yacht.
