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Ovitz co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and served as its chairman until 1995. He later served as President of the Walt Disney Company from 1995 to 1997. His "package deals" at CAA coupled actors, directors and screenwriters together, allowing the talent greater negotiating power with the studio, transforming the film industry. Ovitz served as talent agent to Hollywood actors Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Costner, John Belushi, Michael Douglas, Bill Murray, Sylvester Stallone, and many others along with directors Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and more. He helped negotiate Matsushita's acquisition of MCA/Universal as well as Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures. His signing of Coca Cola to CAA from McCann-Erikson changed the advertising industry by creating greater competition among non-traditional agencies. - IMDb Mini Biography By: marya kramer
At one point, was a consideration to become President & COO of Universal Studios (replacing Sid Sheinberg ), but was passed over in support of his CAA colleague, Ron Meyer . Founded Creative Artists Agency with Ron Meyer , Bill Haber , Rowland Perkins , and Mike Rosenfeld . Headed CAA from 1975 to 1995. Was President & COO of the Walt Disney Company in 1995, but dismissed four months after an internal battle with Walt Disney Company Chairman & CEO Michael Eisner . However, he received an estimated $140 million severance package. This severance package was the subject of the Disney shareholder revolt in 2004 and featured in James Stewart's DisneyWar book. Is portrayed by Treat Williams in The Late Shift - Spätvorstellung (1996) Children with Judy Ovitz : Chris Ovitz , Kimberly Ovitz and Eric Ovitz. As a martial arts student under the tutelage of Steven Seagal , Ovitz is credited with both discovering Seagal and launching his movie career. Graduate of Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California, Class of 1964, with Sally Field , later his client. Another fellow student was Cindy Williams . Graduated from UCLA with a degree in theater, film and television. Brother of Mark H. Ovitz .