Net Worth:
$4.5 billion +7%
Last Year:
$4.2 billion
Age:
64
Residence:
Malibu
Source of Wealth:
Entertainment
The Money:
Fortune is derived from success in the music and film industry, most recently the formation and sale of DreamWorks live action studio to Viacom netting him $175 million. Invested $200 million with heralded money manager Eddie Lampert in 1991. Could be worth billions today, but declines to comment. Seven percent increase in annual wealth is a conservative estimate.
Buzz:
Still interested in buying the L.A. Times, despite having a $2 billion bid rejected last year. Has had discussions with Tribune Co. owner Sam Zell about purchasing the paper as part of a spinoff deal or as a joint partnership. Supporter of the Democratic Party; has chosen to back Barack Obama in his bid for president, upsetting other candidates. Co-founded DreamWorks Studios with David Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg and sits on the board of spinoff animation unit. Originally started out in William Morris mailroom and worked his way up. Founded Geffen Records in 1980 and sold a decade later to MCA in stock deal. Ultimately made $710 million when MCA was sold to Matsushita.
