David Geffen

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Lore & Background

Geffen's path to DreamWorks began long before 1994. After starting his entertainment career in 1964 as a mailroom clerk at the William Morris Agency, he quickly became a talent agent. He co-founded Asylum Records in 1971 with Elliot Roberts, launching the label that signed the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Tom Waits. In 1980, he founded Geffen Records, signing John Lennon for Double Fantasy just before Lennon's murder in December 1980. The label later released recordings by Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Aerosmith, and Elton John. In film, his Geffen Film Company produced Risky Business (1983), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), and Beetlejuice (1988). When he co-founded DreamWorks SKG in 1994, Geffen brought this track record of identifying talent and building successful entertainment ventures. In 1995, DreamWorks signed a $100 million deal with ABC. Geffen left DreamWorks in 2008.

In Their Own Story

In 1994, David Geffen joined Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg to co-found DreamWorks SKG. The studio aimed to produce top-tier animation, live-action films, and television. Geffen's role drew on his experience founding multiple record labels and a film production company. He had already proven his ability to build entertainment businesses from scratch, having co-founded Asylum Records in 1971 and founded Geffen Records in 1980. His Geffen Film Company had produced successful comedies like Beetlejuice (1988). At DreamWorks, Geffen helped secure the studio's financial footing. In 1995, the studio signed a $100 million deal with ABC. Geffen remained with DreamWorks until 2008, when he left the studio he had co-founded fourteen years earlier.

Reader's Guide

David Geffen co-founded DreamWorks SKG in 1994 with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. His background included founding Geffen Records in 1980 and the Geffen Film Company in 1982, which produced films like Risky Business (1983) and Beetlejuice (1988). At DreamWorks, Geffen's experience in both music and film production helped diversify the studio's early portfolio. The studio signed a $100 million deal with ABC in 1995. Geffen left DreamWorks in 2008. According to Forbes, Geffen is the wealthiest person in the global entertainment industry, with an estimated net worth of US$9 billion as of 2024.

Did You Know?

• Geffen co-founded DreamWorks SKG in 1994 with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
• In 1995, DreamWorks signed a $100 million deal with ABC.
• Geffen left DreamWorks in 2008.
• Before DreamWorks, Geffen founded Geffen Records in 1980, which released John Lennon's Double Fantasy in November 1980, just before Lennon's murder.
• According to Forbes, Geffen is the wealthiest person in the global entertainment industry, with an estimated net worth of US$9 billion as of 2024.