Mike Medavoy
American Film Prroduce/Chairman & Co-Founder of Phoenix Pictures
Sample some of the best American films over the past thirty-five years..
Categories :
Full Bio
Sample some of the best American films over the past thirty-five years and there’s a good chance Mike Medavoy played in a role in the success of many of them. From agent to studio chief to producer, he has been involved with over 300 feature films, of which 17 have been nominated and 7 have won Best Picture Oscars. Mr. Medavoy’s numerous awards include: The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cannes Film Festival in 1992, a star on Hollywood Blvd in 2005, Chevalier of the French Government’s Legion of Honor in 2009 and the Chilean Order of Bernardo O’Higgins Award in 2014.
Mr. Medavoy began his career at Universal Studios in 1964, where he rose from the mailroom to become a casting director. In 1965 he became an agent, representing clients such as Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, John Melius, Terrence Mallick, Jane Fonda, Gene Wilder and many others. United Artists brought him in as senior vice president of production in 1974, where he was responsible for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Rocky, and Annie Hall, which won Best Picture Oscars in 1975, 1976, and 1977, respectively.
Other notable films included Apocalypse Now, Raging Bull, Network, and Coming Home. In 1978, Medavoy co-founded Orion Pictures where, during his tenure, Platoon, Amadeus, Robocop, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Terminator, Dances With Wolves, and Silence of the Lambs were released. Medavoy became chairman of TriStar Pictures in 1990, where he oversaw critically acclaimed box office hits such as Philadelphia, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Sleepless in Seattle among others.
As chairman and co-founder of Phoenix Pictures, Medavoy has brought to the screen: The People vs. Larry Flint, The Thin Red Line, Holes, Zodiac, Shutter Island, Black Swan, and The Long Road Home among many others.
In 2002, Simon & Schuster published Mr. Medavoy’s best-selling book, You’re Only As Good As Your Next One. Mike’s 2009 book American Idol After Iraq; Competing for Hearts and Minds in the Global Media Age, co-authored by Nathan Gardels, editor of the National Political Quarterly, reflects on the impact of media on U.S. foreign policy. Medavoy is currently working on his third book, exploring his heritage through the lens of his career, life, and family.
Mike was born in Shanghai, China in 1941 to Russian-Jewish parents who arrived in the early 20’s and lived in Chile from 1947-1957. He graduated from UCLA in 1963. He is married to Irena Medavoy, a founder of Team Safe-T. Mike Medavoy has two sons, Brian and Nicholas, and resides in Beverly Hills, California.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
From The Mailroom to The Boardroom: Succeeding On Your Own Terms
You’re Only as Good as Your Next One: A Lifetime in the Movies
Videos
'Movies Aren't Like Manufacturing A Pair Of Shoes': Mike Medavoy Series
What Will Become Of Hollywood?: Mike Medavoy Series
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
