Michael Ovitz

Person

A visionary and former head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for whom Ari Emanuel worked. Emanuel built upon Ovitz's vision but decided to pursue asset ownership, something Ovitz did not do.


First Mentioned

11/8/2025, 6:31:49 AM

Last Updated

11/8/2025, 6:34:17 AM

Research Retrieved

11/8/2025, 6:34:17 AM

Summary

Michael Ovitz is a prominent American businessman and talent agent, best known as the co-founder and chairman of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) from 1975 to 1995. He played a pivotal role in reinventing the agent's role in Hollywood, representing numerous A-list stars and directors. Following his influential tenure at CAA, Ovitz served as president of The Walt Disney Company from October 1995 to January 1997. His early career in the representation business at CAA also served as an inspiration and training ground for future industry leaders like Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor. Ovitz is also recognized for his extensive art collection and his memoir, "Who Is Michael Ovitz?", published in 2018.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Born

    1946-12-14

  • Memoir

    Who Is Michael Ovitz? (Published 2018)

  • Spouse

    Judy Reich (m. 1969)

  • Children

    3, including Kimberly Ovitz

  • Education

    University of California, Los Angeles (BA)

  • Known For

    Co-founder of Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

  • Birthplace

    Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

  • Occupation

    Talent agent, Businessman

  • Nationality

    American

  • Board Memberships

    Museum of Modern Art, Council on Foreign Relations, Andreessen Horowitz (Board of Advisors), J. Crew Group Inc., Gulfstream Aviation, Opsware, UCLA Hospital and Medical Center (Chairman of Executive Board), Pediatric AIDS Foundation (Executive Advisory Board), D.A.R.E. America, Children's Scholarship Fund

  • Notable Collections

    Art collection (including works by Pablo Picasso, Willem de Kooning, Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns)

Timeline
  • Michael Steven Ovitz was born in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1946-12-14

  • Married Judy Reich. (Source: web_search_results)

    1969

  • Co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and began serving as its chairman. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1975

  • Concluded his tenure as chairman of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). (Source: Wikipedia)

    1995

  • Began serving as president of The Walt Disney Company. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1995-10

  • Concluded his 16-month tenure as president of The Walt Disney Company. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1997-01

  • Published his memoir, "Who Is Michael Ovitz?". (Source: web_search_results)

    2018

Michael Ovitz

Michael Steven Ovitz (born December 14, 1946) is an American businessman. He was a talent agent who co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and served as its chairman until 1995. Ovitz later served as president of The Walt Disney Company for only 16 months from October 1995 to January 1997.

Web Search Results
  • Michael Ovitz - Wikipedia

    Michael Steven Ovitz (born December 14, 1946) is an American businessman. He was a talent agent who co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and served as its chairman until 1995. Ovitz later served as president of The Walt Disney Company for only 16 months from October 1995 to January 1997. ## Early life and education [edit] [...] Jump to content # Michael Ovitz Deutsch Español Français 한국어 مصرى 日本語 Português Edit links From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia American businessman (born 1946) | Michael Ovitz | | --- | | Born | (1946-12-14) December 14, 1946 (age 78) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | | Education | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) | | Occupation | Co-founder of the Creative Artists Agency | | Spouse | Judy Reich ​ (m. 1969)​ | | Children | 3, including Kimberly | [...] Ovitz was born to a Romanian Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois, the son of a liquor wholesaler. Raised in Encino, California, he was student body president at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, a classmate of Sally Field and Michael Milken.[citation needed]

  • Michael Ovitz | Biography & Facts - Britannica

    The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Quick Facts Born: December 14, 1946, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (age 78)_(Show more)_ See all related content Michael Ovitz (born December 14, 1946, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) is an American talent manager who, as cofounder and head of the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), was considered one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures in the 1980s and ’90s. [...] Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Politics, Law & GovernmentBusinesspeople & Entrepreneurs Michael Ovitz American talent manager Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite Share Feedback External Websites Written by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... [...] Ovitz was known for his extensive art collection, which included works by Pablo Picasso, Willem de Kooning, Ellsworth Kelly, and Jasper Johns. The memoir _Who Is Michael Ovitz?_ was published in 2018. The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica. Image 3: Britannica Chatbot logo Britannica Chatbot

  • Who is Michael Ovitz? - Financial Times

    As co-founder of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), 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 stars and directors, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Sean Connery, Steven Seagal, Bill Murray, Robin Williams and David Letterman. [...] After decades of near-silence in the face of intense controversy, Michael Ovitz is finally telling his whole story in this blistering, unforgettable memoir. ## Also in Leadership & Management ## Also in Biography ## Also in Entertainment & Media Show all books ### Business books ## Business Books: What to read this month ## FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year 2025 — the longlist ## Business books: What to read this month [...] FT Business Book of the Year # Best business books All the books longlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award # Who is Michael Ovitz? longlist 2018 Ovitz’s memoir is a fascinating study of how one agency managed to alter the balance of forces in an industry, usurping the role of studios by cornering access to talent. — Read the complete FT review ## Synopsis

  • About Michael Ovitz - WordPress.com

    Over the past forty years, Michael Ovitz has been involved in a wide variety of activities in the worlds of entertainment, advertising, finance, business and philanthropy. He began his entertainment career prior to graduating from UCLA, as a tour guide at Universal Studios. He later started in the mailroom of the William Morris Agency, soon became a highly successful TV agent there before leaving with four colleagues to found CAA. [...] is currently involved in numerous cultural and charitable activities and sits on the Board of Directors of the Museum of Modern Art. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the Board of Advisors of Andreessen Horowitz. [...] Ovitz has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for J. Crew Group Inc., Gulfstream Aviation and Opsware. He served as Chairman of the Executive Board of the UCLA Hospital and Medical Center and headed up the Capital Campaign to raise money for their new hospital, designed by I.M. Pei. He also served on the Executive Advisory Board of the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Board of Directors of D.A.R.E. America, and the National Board of Advisors for the Children’s Scholarship Fund. He

  • Who is Michael Ovitz? - Penguin Random House

    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. [...] ### ISBN9798217045280 Published onJul 23, 2024 Published byPortfolio Pages384 Dimensions6-1/8 x 9-1/4 Author Michael Ovitz Michael Ovitz co-founded CAA in 1975 and served as its chairman until 1995. For most of the past two decades he has been a private investor and an advisor to Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. This is his first book. Learn More about Michael Ovitz ## You May Also Like QUICK VIEW Add to bookshelf ### Afternoons with Mr. Hogan Jody Vasquez Paperback $24.00 [...] “Who Is Michael Ovitz?is an unexpectedly good read….What makes [it] juicier than the average business memoir is that the author proves surprisingly willing to dish about the foibles of former clients and colleagues alike.” —Michael Cieply,Deadline: Hollywood“Michael is a legend and I don’t use that term lightly. Learning from his journey is something that every entrepreneur and executive should do.” —Gary Vaynerchuk“Michael’s brilliance and relentless drive clearly shine through in this