Alan Hirschfield
| Alan James Hirschfield | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 10, 1935 |
| Died |
January 15, 2015 (aged 79) Wilson, Wyoming |
| Nationality | United States |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Education |
B.A. University of Oklahoma M.A. Harvard Business School |
| Occupation | Media executive |
| Known for |
CEO of Columbia Pictures Chairman of 20th Century Fox |
| Spouse(s) | Berte Schindelheim |
| Children |
Scott Hirschfield Marc Hirschfield Laura Hirschfield |
| Parent(s) | Norman and Betty Hirschfield |
Alan James Hirschfield (October 10, 1935 – January 15, 2015) was an American film studio executive and philanthropist. Hirschfield served as the CEO of Columbia Pictures from 1973 to 1978 and the chairman of 20th Century Fox from 1982 until 1986.[1][2][3] Outside of the film industry, Hirschfield helped Clive Davis establish Arista Records in the 1970s.[1][2]
Biography
Hirschfield was born to a Jewish family[4] in New York on October 10, 1935, to Norman and Betty Hirschfield.[3] The family moved to Oklahoma City when he was 3-years old, where his father worked for Allen & Company's natural gas operations.[3] Alan Hirschfield received a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree from Harvard Business School.[3] After school, he went to work for Allen & Company (he was a close friend with its founder Charles Allen Jr.) and after Allen & Company took a financial stake in the film studio Warner Bros., Hirschfield was appointed financial vice president.[3]
In 1973, again after Allen & Co took a financial stake in Columbia Pictures, Hirschfield was appointed CEO serving in that position from 1973 to 1978.[3] In 1978, Hirschfield was forced out of Columbia Pictures for his refusal to reinstate David Begelman, a studio executive who had embezzled $61,000 from Columbia, citing moral grounds.[1][2] In 1981, Hirschfield was hired by Marvin Davis to be the chairman of 20th Century Fox; he resigned in 1984 and was replaced by Barry Diller.[3] From 1990 to 1992, Alan Hirschfield served as a co-CEO and investment banker for the former Financial News Network. He was also the co-CEO of the Data Broadcasting Corp from 1992 to 2000.[1]
The Begelman embezzlement and its aftermath were the subject of the best-selling 1982 non-fiction book "Indecent Exposure" by David McClintick.
In 1992 he opposed attorney Gerry Spence's decision to defend Randy Weaver on false charges laid following the Ruby Ridge siege.
Personal life and death
In 1962, Hirschfield Berte Schindelheim; they had three children: Scott Hirschfield; Marc Hirschfield; and Laura Hirschfield.[3] Hirschfield died from natural causes at his home in Wilson, Wyoming, on January 15, 2015, at the age of 79.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Stedman, Alex (2015-01-16). "Alan Hirschfield, Former Columbia Chief Exec, Dies at 79". Variety. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
- 1 2 3 4 "Alan Hirschfield, Former Chief Exec of Columbia, Dies at 79". The Hollywood Reporter. 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cieply, Michael (2015-01-21). "Alan J. Hirschfield, Who Led Film Studio Through Financial Scandal, Dies at 79". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
- ↑ Erens, Patricia The Jew in American Cinema ISBN 9780253204936 | ISBN 0253204933 | Publisher: Indiana University Press | Publish Date: August 1988