Who Is Michael Ovitz? - Michael Ovitz

Who Is Michael Ovitz?

By Michael Ovitz

  • Release Date: 2018-09-25
  • Genre: Industries & Professions
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 134 Ratings

Description

If you're going to read one book about Hollywood, this is the one.
 
As the co-founder of Creative Artists Agency, Michael Ovitz earned a reputation for ruthless negotiation, brilliant strategy, and fierce loyalty to his clients. He reinvented the role of the agent and helped shape the careers of hundreds of A-list entertainers, directors, and writers, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Sean Connery, Bill Murray, Robin Williams, and David Letterman.
 
But this personal history is much more than a fascinating account of celebrity friendships and bare-knuckled dealmaking. It's also an underdog's story: How did a middle-class kid from Encino work his way into the William Morris mailroom, and eventually become the most powerful person in Hollywood? How did an agent (even a superagent) also become a power in producing, advertising, mergers & acquisitions, and modern art? And what were the personal consequences of all those deals?
 
After decades of near-silence in the face of controversy, Ovitz is finally telling his whole story, with remarkable candor and insight.

Reviews

  • Great account of a great life story

    5
    By Mario Watson
    Enjoyed the book from start to finish. Inspiring how someone from small beginnings could rise to the top of the Hollywood industry through hard work and relentlessness. Any time I think I am working hard or networking to the fullest I will default to some of the principles in this book to know that I have more in the tank.
  • Worth reading

    5
    By Dbirdsall
    A man who gained the world but lost his soul
  • Excellent

    5
    By Dale18wed
    Couldn’t put it down.