David Picker
| David V. Picker | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 14, 1931 (age 86) New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Movie executive and producer |
| Known for | Served as President and CEO of United Artists, Paramount, Lorimar and Columbia Pictures |
David V. Picker is a motion picture executive and producer, working in the film industry for more than forty years. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for United Artists, Paramount, Lorimar and Columbia Pictures. He is currently an independent producer. Picker has been a member of the Writers Guild of America East, is currently a member the Producers Guild of America, and he is Chairman Emeritus of the Producers Guild of America East. Picker's memoir about his career in the film industry, Musts, Maybes and Nevers, was released in 2013.
Picker was born to a Jewish family in New York City on May 14, 1931. His father, Eugene Picker, was a film pioneer and movie theatre executive of Loew’s Theaters. David V. Picker attended Dartmouth College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953.
Picker began his movie career at United Artists in 1956. There, he worked in advertising and publicity. By 1961 he was an assistant to the president. By the late ‘60s Picker was managing United Artists Records. Picker helped bring Tom Jones to United Artists in 1963. The film received four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director for Tony Richardson. In 1964, Picker accepted the award on behalf of Tony Richardson, who was not in attendance.
Picker became chief operating officer and president of United Artists Corporation in 1969. He became CEO in 1970. During his time as president, Picker was responsible for a deal with producers Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli for the James Bond series which launched the most successful franchise in cinema history. During his time at United Artists, Picker brought the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night and Help! to the company, as well as Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango in Paris. Picker helped bring writer and director Woody Allen to United Artists in addition to European filmmakers Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, François Truffaut, Louis Malle, and Sergio Leone.
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