Mike Medavoy ’63

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Sample the best American films over the past 25 years, and there’s a good chance Mike Medavoy plays a pivotal role in the success of many of them. His track record includes seven Best Picture Oscars, 15 Best Picture nominations and scores of mega-hits. Today, as co-founder and chairman of Phoenix Pictures, he continues this tradition, crafting high-quality box office triumphs.

Medavoy launched his career at Universal Studios in 1964. He rose from the mailroom to casting director. In 1965, he became an agent, working first at General Artist Corporation and later at Creative Management Agency. In 1971, Medavoy joined International Famous Agency as vice president.

After 12 fruitful years at Orion, Medavoy became chairman of Tri-Star Pictures, where he oversaw the development, production, marketing and distribution of all the studio’s films. His successes at Tri-Star include Philadelphia, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Sleepless in Seattle.

Medavoy has made his mark not only within his industry but also in his community. Medavoy currently serves as co-chair of the American Cinematheque and serves on the board of trustees of the UCLA Foundation. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television as well as of the Leadership Circle for the UCLA Center for International Relations. In 1992, he was appointed to the board of directors of the Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles, and in that same year he was the recipient of the Motion Picture Pioneer of the Year Award. He is also one of the founding members of the board of governors of the Sundance Institute. Medavoy has also been involved in two presidential campaigns, including the election of President Clinton in 1994.

Born in Shanghai in Junary of 1941, Medavoy lived in Chile before moving to Los Angeles as a teen. He graduated with honors in history from UCLA in 1963. Medavoy is married to Irena Medavoy, who is a successful producer of infomercial and direct response television. Medavoy has a son, Brian, who has his own company called Moore/Medavoy Management.