David Geffen

David Geffen (born February 21, 1943 in New York City, New York) is a Jewish-American record executive, film and theatrical producer, and philanthropist.

Related Topics:
February 21 - 1943 - New York City - New York - Jewish - American - Film - Theatrical producer - Philanthropist

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In his earlier years, he dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin.

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He began his entertainment career in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, quickly becoming an agent and promoting the careers of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles, among others. The lyrics of Joni Mitchell's "Free Man in Paris" (1975) were drawn from things Geffen, a close friend in the early 1970s, told her.

Related Topics:
William Morris Agency - Joni Mitchell - Jackson Browne - Linda Ronstadt - The Eagles - Free Man in Paris

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He moved on to Warner Brothers, then his own Geffen Records, which included among its artists Cher, Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses. Famed group Nirvana had some of their works on his label as well. In the 1980s, he signed Neil Young to his record label with an offer of greater artistic control. Young subsequently produced his most experimental albums, as well as his least popular and critically successful music, all allegedly to the horror of Geffen. Young eventually returned to Reprise Records.

Related Topics:
Warner Brothers - Geffen Records - Cher - Aerosmith - Guns N' Roses - Nirvana - Neil Young - Reprise Records

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Through the Geffen Film Company, he produced dark-tinged comedies such as (the 1986 version of) Little Shop of Horrors and Beetlejuice. Geffen was the Broadway backer for the musicals Dreamgirls and Cats. In 1994, Geffen co-founded the DreamWorks SKG studio with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Related Topics:
Little Shop of Horrors - Beetlejuice - Dreamgirls - Cats - 1994 - DreamWorks SKG - Steven Spielberg - Jeffrey Katzenberg

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Geffen, who is openly gay, was the subject of a persistent but probably false 1990s rumor that he had married actor Keanu Reeves, who is also "known" to be gay.

Related Topics:
Gay - Married - Keanu Reeves

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Geffen is a prominent philanthropist, renowned for his support to medical research, AIDS organizations, the arts and theatre.

Related Topics:
Philanthropist - Medical research - AIDS - Arts - Theatre

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According to Forbes Magazine ("The 400 Richest Americans of 2004") and other sources, Geffen has pledged to give whatever money he makes from now on to charity (although he has not specified specific charities or the manner of his giving). In 2002, he announced a $200 million unrestricted endowment for UCLA Medical School.

Related Topics:
Forbes Magazine - UCLA Medical School

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Geffen's Malibu home on the Pacific Coast Highway has been a battlefront in an ongoing struggle between property owners and beachgoers over access to public beaches in front of private residences. In 2002, Geffen sued to block access to the public beach in front of his home. In 2005, facing a rising tide of anger, Geffen relented and allowed access through a non-profit group.

Related Topics:
Malibu - Pacific Coast Highway

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