Mike Medavoy - Details

Biography

Sample some of the best American films made over the past 25 years and there is a good chance that Mike Medavoy played a role in the success of many of them.
From agent to studio chief, Medavoy has been involved in over 300 feature films.
Medavoy began his career at Universal Studios in 1964 where he quickly rose from the mailroom to the position of casting director. In 1965, he became a talent agent, working at General Artist Corporation before moving to the Creative Management Agency as vice president. Joining International Famous Agency as vice president in charge of the motion picture department in 1971, Medavoy worked with such prestigious clients as Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Terrence Malick, Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and Gene Wilder, among others. In 1974, United Artists named him senior vice president of production. He became part of the team that, over three successive years, was responsible for such classics as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Rocky and Annie Hall, which won the OscarÒ for Best Picture.

In 1978, Medavoy co-founded Orion Pictures. During his tenure, Platoon, Amadeus, RoboCop, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Terminator, Dances With Wolves and Silence of the Lambs were released. In 1990, after 12 fruitful years at Orion, Medavoy became Chairman of TriStar Pictures. Under his aegis, the studio released the critically acclaimed Philadelphia, the box-office monster Terminator 2: Judgement Day (with Carolco), Sleepless in Seattle, Cliffhanger (with Carolco), The Fisher King, Legends of the Fall and Steven Spielberg’s Hook.

Now chairman of Phoenix Pictures, Medavoy was born in Shanghai, China, grew up in Chile and is active in both politics and community affairs. He graduated with honors in History from UCLA in 1963. He is married to Irena Medavoy and has two sons, Brian and Nicholas. He resides in Los Angeles.

Events

  • 21st January 1941 - Birth