Dec 2006 photo
FORBES
The 400 Richest Americans
September 2006
#50 David Geffen
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Net Worth $4.6 billion  |
Source Dreamworks Animation (quote: DWA), Media/Entertainment, Self made |
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| Age 63 Marital Status Single |
Hometown Malibu, CA, United States Education University of Texas Austin, Drop Out |
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Hollywood's richest man sorted mail at famed William Morris Agency after forging university stationery to supply credentials. Founded Asylum Records 1970 (Eagles, Joni Mitchell), then Geffen Records (Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses). Sold to MCA in 1990 for stock; reaped $710 million when MCA was sold to Matsushita a year later. Founded entertainment boutique DreamWorks with partners Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg (see) 1995. Big hits included Shrek, Gladiator. Spun animation unit public 2004; stock down 40% since. In February sold live-action movie studio to Paramount for $1.5 billion; personally netted $175 million, says profits will go to charity. Invested cash with money man Eddie Lampert (see).