David Geffen: Difference between revisions

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| name        = David Geffen
| name        = David Geffen
| birth_name  = David Lawrence Geffen
| birth_name  = David Lawrence Geffen
| image        = David Geffen.jpg
| caption      = Geffen in 1973
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1943|2|21}}
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1943|2|21}}
| birth_place  = [[New York City]], U.S.
| birth_place  = [[New York City]], U.S.
| nationality  = American
| nationality  = American
| occupation  = Film producer, record executive, media proprietor, philanthropist
| occupation  = Film producer, record executive, media proprietor
| known_for    = Co-founding [[DreamWorks SKG]], founding [[Asylum Records]], [[Geffen Records]]
| education    = [[Santa Monica College]] (no degree)
| education    = [[Santa Monica College]] (no degree)
| known_for    = Co-founding [[Asylum Records]], [[Geffen Records]], [[DreamWorks SKG]]
| awards      = [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] inductee (2010)
| awards      = [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] inductee (2010)
| website      =
}}
}}


David Lawrence Geffen (born February 21, 1943) is an American film producer, record executive, media proprietor, and philanthropist whose career has spanned more than five decades and reshaped multiple sectors of the entertainment industry. Rising from modest origins in [[Brooklyn]], New York, Geffen built an empire that encompassed some of the most influential record labels and film studios in American culture. He co-founded [[Asylum Records]] with [[Elliot Roberts]] in 1971, providing a home for artists who would define the sound of the 1970s singer-songwriter movement. He went on to found [[Geffen Records]] in 1980 and [[DGC Records]] in 1990, signing acts that ranged from classic rock to grunge. In 1982, he established the [[Geffen Film Company]], and in 1994, he joined forces with [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] to co-found [[DreamWorks SKG]], a major film and entertainment studio. Beyond the entertainment business, Geffen has become one of the most prominent philanthropists in the United States, making landmark donations to institutions in education, medicine, and the arts, including a transformative gift to the [[UCLA]] medical school that now bears his name and a major contribution to the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]]. He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2010 in recognition of his contributions to the music industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
David Lawrence Geffen (born February 21, 1943) is an American film producer, record executive, media proprietor, and philanthropist whose career spans more than five decades at the intersection of music, film, and entertainment business. Rising from a modest upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, Geffen built a series of influential enterprises that reshaped the American entertainment landscape, beginning with the co-founding of [[Asylum Records]] with [[Elliot Roberts]] in 1971 and continuing through the establishment of [[Geffen Records]] in 1980, the Geffen Film Company in 1982, and the co-founding of [[DreamWorks SKG]] with [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] in 1994. His record labels launched or sustained the careers of artists ranging from [[the Eagles]] and [[Joni Mitchell]] to [[Guns N' Roses]] and [[Nirvana]], while his film and theatrical ventures produced critically acclaimed works across multiple media. Geffen has also become one of the most prominent philanthropists in the United States, making major donations to medical education, the arts, and civic institutions. He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2010 in recognition of his transformative influence on the music industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


David Lawrence Geffen was born on February 21, 1943, in [[New York City]] and grew up in the [[Borough Park]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]].<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |date=2026-02-09 |title=David Geffen Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/david-geffen-fast-facts |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His parents were Jewish immigrants; his mother, Batya (née Volovskaya), had emigrated from the [[Russian Empire]], and his father, Abraham Geffen, was a pattern maker. The family was of modest means, and Geffen's early life was shaped by the experience of growing up in a working-class household in postwar Brooklyn. His mother, a driven and resourceful woman, operated a business selling bras and corsets from the family home, and her entrepreneurial spirit would prove to be an influential model for her son.
David Lawrence Geffen was born on February 21, 1943, in the [[Borough Park, Brooklyn|Borough Park]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]].<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |date=2026-02-09 |title=David Geffen Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/david-geffen-fast-facts |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He grew up in a Jewish family of modest means. His mother, Batya, was an immigrant who ran a corset and brassiere shop, and his father, Abraham, held various jobs but was not a consistently strong earner. The household was shaped by his mother's entrepreneurial drive and determination, qualities that would later be reflected in Geffen's own career.


Geffen showed little enthusiasm for formal education during his youth. He was an indifferent student who found conventional academic life uninspiring, though he displayed an early aptitude for showmanship and persuasion. He attended [[New Utrecht High School]] in Brooklyn before moving to California, where the climate and culture of [[Los Angeles]] would become central to his identity and professional life.
Geffen has described his childhood as one marked by economic insecurity but also by the influence of his mother's relentless work ethic. Growing up in Brooklyn during the 1940s and 1950s, he attended public schools and developed an early interest in the entertainment world. He was not a distinguished student academically and showed little inclination toward conventional career paths.


As a young man, Geffen was drawn to the entertainment industry and the possibilities it represented. His ambitions were outsized relative to his background, and he possessed a combination of charm, intelligence, and relentless drive that would carry him from the mailroom of a talent agency to the heights of the American entertainment establishment. His Brooklyn upbringing, with its emphasis on self-reliance and hustle, instilled in him a tenacity that became a defining characteristic throughout his career.
As a young man, Geffen moved to [[Los Angeles]], a decision that would prove pivotal. He briefly attended [[Santa Monica College]] but did not complete a degree.<ref name="filmref">{{cite web |title=David Geffen |url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/25/David-Geffen.html |publisher=Film Reference |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Despite lacking formal academic credentials, Geffen possessed a keen instinct for talent and an aggressive aptitude for deal-making that would serve as the foundation for his subsequent career in the entertainment industry.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Geffen attended [[Santa Monica College]] in California but did not earn a degree.<ref name="cnn" /> His formal education was limited, and he later acknowledged that he had fabricated credentials early in his career to gain entry into the entertainment industry. In a now-famous episode, Geffen claimed to have a degree from [[UCLA]] on a job application to the [[William Morris Agency]]; he then intercepted a letter from UCLA that would have exposed the falsehood and replaced it with a forged document. This act of youthful audacity became part of Geffen's legend in Hollywood, illustrating both the lengths to which he was willing to go to break into the business and the informal, personality-driven nature of the entertainment industry at the time.
Geffen's formal education was limited. After finishing high school in Brooklyn, he enrolled at [[Santa Monica College]] in California but did not earn a degree.<ref name="filmref" /> His lack of a college degree became a notable element of his biography, as he went on to achieve extraordinary success in an industry where personal relationships, instinct, and negotiating skill often mattered more than academic credentials. Later in his career, Geffen would become a major benefactor to educational institutions, including the [[UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine]], which was renamed in his honor following a significant donation.<ref name="doj">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-01-28 |title=DOJ seeks to join lawsuit against David Geffen School of Medicine |url=https://dailybruin.com/2026/01/28/doj-seeks-to-join-lawsuit-against-david-geffen-school-of-medicine |work=Daily Bruin |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Despite his lack of formal academic credentials, Geffen would later become one of the most significant benefactors of higher education in the United States, with major gifts to UCLA and other institutions.


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Career in the Music Industry ===
=== Early Career in the Music Industry ===


Geffen's entry into the entertainment business began in the mailroom of the [[William Morris Agency]] in the mid-1960s, a starting point shared by several other future entertainment moguls. He quickly demonstrated an exceptional ability to identify talent and negotiate deals, and he rose rapidly through the agency's ranks. By the late 1960s, Geffen had established himself as a talent agent and manager, representing artists who would become central figures in the emerging [[singer-songwriter]] movement of the early 1970s.
Geffen entered the entertainment business in the 1960s, initially working in the mailroom of the [[William Morris Agency]] in New York City, a traditional entry point for aspiring talent agents.<ref name="nyt1993">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=1993-05-02 |title=David Geffen, Still Hungry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/02/magazine/david-geffen-still-hungry.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He quickly advanced within the agency world, developing a reputation as an aggressive and perceptive talent scout. His early work brought him into contact with a generation of singer-songwriters and rock musicians who were transforming American popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s.


His early management clients included [[Laura Nyro]], with whom Geffen developed a particularly close professional and personal relationship. He helped negotiate the sale of Nyro's publishing catalog to [[Columbia Records]] for a reported $4 million, a deal that was considered extraordinary at the time and established Geffen's reputation as a shrewd dealmaker. The proceeds from this transaction helped finance his subsequent ventures in the recording industry.
Geffen became a personal manager, representing artists such as [[Laura Nyro]], whose songwriting catalog he helped monetize through a lucrative publishing deal. The sale of Nyro's publishing rights provided Geffen with significant capital and established his reputation as a shrewd negotiator in the music business.


=== Asylum Records ===
=== Asylum Records ===


In 1971, Geffen co-founded [[Asylum Records]] with [[Elliot Roberts]], establishing a label that would become synonymous with the [[Laurel Canyon]] sound and the Southern California singer-songwriter scene. Asylum Records became home to a roster of artists who defined an era, including [[The Eagles]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Tom Waits]], and [[Linda Ronstadt]]. Under Geffen's leadership, the label cultivated a reputation for artist-friendly practices and creative freedom, attracting performers who sought an alternative to the more corporate atmosphere of established major labels.
In 1971, Geffen co-founded [[Asylum Records]] with music manager [[Elliot Roberts]].<ref name="cnn" /> The label was established to serve the burgeoning Southern California singer-songwriter scene and quickly became one of the most influential record companies of the 1970s. Asylum signed and developed artists including [[the Eagles]], [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[Linda Ronstadt]], and [[Tom Waits]], among others. The label's roster defined the sound of the era, blending folk, rock, and country influences into what became known as the California sound.


The success of Asylum Records was swift and substantial. The Eagles' debut album and subsequent releases became among the best-selling records in history, and the label's roster collectively generated enormous commercial and critical success. In 1972, Asylum merged with [[Elektra Records]] to form Elektra/Asylum Records, with Geffen serving as chairman. He oversaw the combined label during a period of sustained commercial growth before departing in the mid-1970s. The Asylum years established Geffen as one of the most influential figures in the American music industry and cemented his relationships with artists and executives that would endure for decades.
Under Geffen's leadership, Asylum Records achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The label was eventually merged with [[Elektra Records]] to form [[Elektra/Asylum Records]], and Geffen served as chairman of the combined entity. His tenure at Asylum cemented his status as one of the most powerful figures in the American music industry.


=== Geffen Records and DGC Records ===
=== Geffen Records and DGC Records ===


After a period away from the music business during the late 1970s — during which he taught briefly at Yale University and dealt with a cancer misdiagnosis that prompted him to reevaluate his life — Geffen returned to the recording industry with the founding of [[Geffen Records]] in 1980. The new label was distributed by [[Warner Bros. Records]] and quickly became a major force in popular music.
After a period away from the music business during the late 1970s — during which Geffen dealt with health concerns and briefly taught at [[Yale University]] — he returned to found [[Geffen Records]] in 1980.<ref name="cnn" /> The new label was distributed initially by [[Warner Bros. Records]] and later by other major distributors.
 
Geffen Records became one of the most commercially successful independent labels of the 1980s and 1990s, signing a diverse roster that included [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]] (whose album ''[[Double Fantasy]]'' was released on the label shortly before Lennon's assassination in December 1980), [[Donna Summer]], [[Peter Gabriel]], [[Aerosmith]], and [[Whitesnake]]. The label also played a pivotal role in the careers of [[Guns N' Roses]], whose debut album ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' (1987) became one of the best-selling debut albums in history.


Geffen Records signed a diverse array of artists across genres, including [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]] (whose ''[[Double Fantasy]]'' album, released on Geffen Records in 1980, was Lennon's final studio album before his assassination), [[Elton John]], [[Peter Gabriel]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Whitesnake]], and [[Guns N' Roses]]. The label's willingness to sign artists who spanned pop, rock, heavy metal, and new wave reflected Geffen's eclectic taste and commercial instincts. Guns N' Roses' 1987 debut album ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' became one of the best-selling debut albums in history, further establishing Geffen Records as a dominant label.
In 1990, Geffen established [[DGC Records]] as a subsidiary label.<ref name="cnn" /> DGC achieved enormous cultural significance by signing [[Nirvana]], whose album ''[[Nevermind]]'' (1991) is credited with bringing [[alternative rock]] and [[grunge]] music into the mainstream. The label also released records by [[Sonic Youth]], [[Weezer]], [[Beck]], and [[Counting Crows]], among other acts that shaped the alternative rock movement of the 1990s.


In 1990, Geffen founded [[DGC Records]] as a subsidiary label. DGC Records would achieve its most notable success with the signing of [[Nirvana]], whose 1991 album ''[[Nevermind]]'' is credited with bringing [[grunge]] and [[alternative rock]] into the mainstream. The album's lead single, "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]," became a cultural phenomenon, and ''Nevermind'' eventually sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. The success of Nirvana on DGC Records demonstrated Geffen's continued ability to identify and nurture talent at the cutting edge of popular music, even as the industry underwent dramatic shifts in taste and commercial dynamics.
Geffen sold Geffen Records to [[MCA Inc.]] in 1990 in a deal that significantly increased his personal fortune. The transaction was one of the largest in the history of the recorded music industry at that time.


In 1990, Geffen sold Geffen Records to [[MCA Inc.]] for stock reportedly valued at approximately $550 million, a transaction that made him one of the wealthiest individuals in the entertainment industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen |url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/25/David-Geffen.html |publisher=Film Reference |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Film and Theater ===


=== The Geffen Film Company ===
Geffen expanded into the film industry in 1982 with the establishment of the Geffen Film Company (later known as Geffen Pictures).<ref name="filmref" /> The company produced and co-produced a number of notable films across various genres. Among the productions associated with the company were ''[[Risky Business]]'' (1983), ''[[Lost in America]]'' (1985), ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (1986 film)|Little Shop of Horrors]]'' (1986), ''[[Beetlejuice]]'' (1988), and ''[[Interview with the Vampire (film)|Interview with the Vampire]]'' (1994).


In 1982, Geffen expanded into the film industry with the establishment of the [[Geffen Film Company]] (later known as Geffen Pictures). The company produced a number of commercially and critically successful films during the 1980s and 1990s, including ''[[Risky Business]]'' (1983), which helped launch the career of [[Tom Cruise]]; ''[[Lost in America]]'' (1985); ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (1986 film)|Little Shop of Horrors]]'' (1986); ''[[Beetlejuice]]'' (1988); and ''[[Interview with the Vampire (film)|Interview with the Vampire]]'' (1994). Geffen's film company operated in partnership with [[Warner Bros.]] and demonstrated his ability to translate his success in the music business into the motion picture industry.
Geffen was also active as a producer on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], backing productions including the original staging of ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'' and ''[[Dreamgirls]]''. His involvement in theater demonstrated the breadth of his entertainment interests and his willingness to invest across multiple media platforms.


=== DreamWorks SKG ===
=== DreamWorks SKG ===


In October 1994, Geffen joined with filmmaker [[Steven Spielberg]] and former [[Walt Disney Studios]] chairman [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] to co-found [[DreamWorks SKG]], a new film, television, and entertainment studio. The formation of DreamWorks represented one of the most high-profile studio launches in Hollywood history, and the combination of Spielberg's creative vision, Katzenberg's studio management experience, and Geffen's business acumen attracted significant attention and investment.
In 1994, Geffen co-founded [[DreamWorks SKG]] alongside director [[Steven Spielberg]] and former [[Walt Disney Studios]] chairman [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]].<ref name="cnn" /> The venture was one of the most ambitious undertakings in Hollywood history, representing the first major new film studio to be established in decades. The "SKG" in the company's name derived from the initials of the three founders' surnames.


DreamWorks produced and distributed a number of major films, including ''[[American Beauty (film)|American Beauty]]'' (1999), which won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]; ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]'' (1998); ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'' (2000); and ''[[A Beautiful Mind (film)|A Beautiful Mind]]'' (2001). The studio's animation division, [[DreamWorks Animation]], produced the commercially successful ''[[Shrek]]'' franchise, ''[[Madagascar (franchise)|Madagascar]]'' series, and ''[[Kung Fu Panda (franchise)|Kung Fu Panda]]'' series, establishing DreamWorks as a competitor to [[Pixar]] and [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] in the animated film market.
DreamWorks produced and distributed a wide range of films, including the [[Academy Award]] for Best Picture winner ''[[American Beauty (film)|American Beauty]]'' (1999), ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]'' (1998), ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'' (2000), and ''[[A Beautiful Mind (film)|A Beautiful Mind]]'' (2001). The studio's animation division, [[DreamWorks Animation]], produced the commercially successful ''[[Shrek]]'' franchise, ''[[Madagascar (franchise)|Madagascar]]'' series, and ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'' films.


In 1996, Geffen co-founded [[DreamWorks Records]] alongside [[Mo Ostin]], [[Michael Ostin]], and [[Lenny Waronker]], extending DreamWorks' reach into the music industry. The record label operated until the mid-2000s.
In 1996, Geffen also co-founded [[DreamWorks Records]] with [[Mo Ostin]], Michael Ostin, and [[Lenny Waronker]], adding a music division to the DreamWorks enterprise.<ref name="cnn" />


DreamWorks SKG's live-action division was eventually sold to [[Paramount Pictures]] in 2006, while DreamWorks Animation continued as a separate entity before being acquired by [[NBCUniversal]] in 2016. The studio's output during its independent years was prolific, and its founding remains a landmark event in the modern entertainment industry.
DreamWorks was eventually sold in parts: the live-action film division was acquired by [[Paramount Pictures]] (a subsidiary of [[Viacom]]) in 2006, and DreamWorks Animation was later purchased by [[NBCUniversal]] (a subsidiary of [[Comcast]]) in 2016. The sales generated substantial returns for the three founders.


=== Broadway ===
=== Business Acumen and Industry Influence ===


Geffen also made a significant mark on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], producing the original production of ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'' and the musical adaptation of ''[[Dreamgirls]]'', among other productions. His involvement in the theatre extended his influence across virtually every major sector of the American entertainment industry.
Throughout his career, Geffen was noted for his ability to identify talent, negotiate favorable deals, and navigate the complex corporate structures of the entertainment industry. A 1993 profile in ''[[The New York Times]]'' described him as "still hungry," highlighting his restless ambition and his continued drive to build new ventures even after achieving great financial success.<ref name="nyt1993" /> His career has been cited as an example of how personal relationships and instinct can be as important as formal training in the entertainment business.<ref>{{cite web |title=One Plus One Equals Three |url=https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/dave-trott/one-plus-one-equals-three |publisher=Pan Macmillan |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Geffen is openly [[gay]]. He came out publicly in 1992, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry to do so at that time. His coming out was covered extensively in the media and was seen as a significant moment in the broader cultural movement toward greater acceptance of [[LGBT]] individuals in public life.<ref name="nyt1993">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=1993-05-02 |title=David Geffen, Still Hungry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/02/magazine/david-geffen-still-hungry.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
David Geffen is openly [[gay]]. He came out publicly in the early 1990s, becoming one of the most prominent openly gay figures in the American business world.<ref name="cnn" /> Before coming out, Geffen had dated several women, including the singer [[Cher]]. In a 2026 interview, Cher discussed her past relationship with Geffen, stating that "we had an arrangement" and speaking openly about the nature of their connection.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Cher on Dating David Geffen, Who Later Came Out as Gay: "We Had an Arrangement" |url=https://www.them.us/story/cher-david-geffen-gay-arrangement-dating-relationship |work=Them |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Geffen has been linked romantically to several public figures over the years. The singer [[Cher]] has spoken publicly about her relationship with Geffen, which took place before he came out. In a 2026 interview, Cher described their dating relationship, noting that they "had an arrangement."<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Cher on Dating David Geffen, Who Later Came Out as Gay: "We Had an Arrangement" |url=https://www.them.us/story/cher-david-geffen-gay-arrangement-dating-relationship |work=Them |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Geffen married in a same-sex marriage, though the relationship later ended. In 2025, reports emerged regarding divorce proceedings involving Geffen and his estranged husband. The case attracted media attention due to the scale of Geffen's fortune.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-07-29 |title=David Geffen's Divorce Gives New Meaning to an Old Term |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/style/hypergamy-david-geffen-divorce.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marilyn B. Chinitz Discusses David Geffen's Divorce in the New York Daily News |url=https://www.blankrome.com/news/marilyn-b-chinitz-discusses-david-geffens-divorce-new-york-daily-news |publisher=Blank Rome LLP |date=2025-09-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2025, reports emerged regarding Geffen's divorce proceedings from his much younger husband, drawing media coverage that discussed the legal and financial dimensions of the separation.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-07-29 |title=David Geffen's Divorce Gives New Meaning to an Old Term |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/style/hypergamy-david-geffen-divorce.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marilyn B. Chinitz Discusses David Geffen's Divorce in the New York Daily News |url=https://www.blankrome.com/news/marilyn-b-chinitz-discusses-david-geffens-divorce-new-york-daily-news |publisher=Blank Rome LLP |date=2025-09-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Geffen has been a resident of [[Malibu, California]], where he owns oceanfront property. A 2005 ''New York Times'' article described the exclusive character of the Malibu beachfront community where Geffen and other prominent figures maintained homes.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-06-05 |title=In Malibu, the Water's Fine. So Don't Come In. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/fashion/sundaystyles/in-malibu-the-waters-fine-so-dont-come-in.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Geffen has been a prominent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] fundraiser and political donor, supporting numerous candidates and causes over the decades. He is also known for his extensive [[art collection]], which has been ranked among the most valuable private collections in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Private Wealth: Geffen's Art Collection Tops in Value |url=http://www.wealthx.com/articles/2013/private-wealth-geffens-art-collection-tops-in-value/ |publisher=Wealth-X |date=2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Geffen is known to be an avid art collector. His personal art collection has been described as one of the most valuable in private hands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Private Wealth: Geffen's Art Collection Tops in Value |url=http://www.wealthx.com/articles/2013/private-wealth-geffens-art-collection-tops-in-value/ |publisher=Wealth-X |date=2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Geffen is also known for his real estate holdings, including a notable property in [[Malibu, California]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-06-05 |title=In Malibu, the Water's Fine. So Don't Come In. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/fashion/sundaystyles/in-malibu-the-waters-fine-so-dont-come-in.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He has owned the [[yacht]] ''[[Rising Sun (yacht)|Rising Sun]]'', one of the largest private yachts in the world, which he acquired from fellow entertainment executive [[Larry Ellison]].<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen Takes Possession of 'Rising Sun' – World's Sixth Largest Yacht |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206032409/http://boatworktimes.com/yacht-mainmenu-26/luxury/4439-david-geffen-takes-possession-of-qrising-sunq-worlds-sixth-largest-yacht.html |publisher=Boat Work Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
He has also owned several luxury yachts, including the ''Rising Sun'', one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world, which he acquired from the estate of [[Larry Ellison]].<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen Takes Possession of 'Rising Sun', World's Sixth-Largest Yacht |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206032409/http://boatworktimes.com/yacht-mainmenu-26/luxury/4439-david-geffen-takes-possession-of-qrising-sunq-worlds-sixth-largest-yacht.html |publisher=BoatWork Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Philanthropy ==


=== Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ===
Geffen has made substantial philanthropic contributions across the fields of medicine, education, and the arts. His donation to the [[UCLA School of Medicine]] resulted in the institution being renamed the [[David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA]] in his honor. The medical school has remained a subject of public attention; in January 2026, the [[United States Department of Justice]] sought to intervene in a lawsuit alleging that the school illegally considered race in its admissions process.<ref name="doj" />


In 2010, Geffen was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in the non-performer category, recognizing his contributions as a record executive and label founder who had a transformative impact on popular music.<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 Induction Ceremony |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223194626/http://www.rockhall.com/induction2010/ |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The induction cited his role in founding Asylum Records and Geffen Records and his signing of artists who helped shape the sound of American music from the 1970s onward.
In December 2012, Geffen announced a major scholarship program. As reported by ''[[The Huffington Post]]'', the initiative was designed to support students in pursuing higher education.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen Scholarship |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/david-geffen-scholarship_n_2301741.html |publisher=HuffPost |date=2012-12-14 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Philanthropy and Named Institutions ===
Geffen has also been a significant donor to the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]] (LACMA). The museum's new building, the David Geffen Galleries, represents the culmination of a two-decade campus transformation. LACMA announced in February 2026 that the David Geffen Galleries would open to museum members on April 19, 2026, with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |title=LACMA's David Geffen Galleries Will Open on April 19, 2026 |url=https://unframed.lacma.org/2026/02/05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-will-open-april-19-2026 |publisher=Los Angeles County Museum of Art |date=2026-02-05 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-05 |title=LACMA sets opening date for highly anticipated David Geffen Galleries |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-02-05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-opening-date |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Geffen has made substantial philanthropic contributions to education, medicine, and the arts. His $200 million donation to the [[UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine]] resulted in the school being renamed in his honor. As of 2026, the school remained in the news when the [[United States Department of Justice]] sought to join a lawsuit alleging the school illegally considered race in its admissions processes.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-28 |title=DOJ seeks to join lawsuit against David Geffen School of Medicine |url=https://dailybruin.com/2026/01/28/doj-seeks-to-join-lawsuit-against-david-geffen-school-of-medicine |work=Daily Bruin |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Geffen has additionally supported various civic and political causes. Records indicate that he contributed to the campaign against [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|California Proposition 8]], which sought to ban same-sex marriage in California in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposition 8 Donor Records |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207142742/http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/?appSession=587482278271008&RecordID=14493&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy= |publisher=SFGate |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In December 2012, Geffen announced a $100 million scholarship fund for students attending UCLA, which was described as one of the largest such gifts to a public university.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen Scholarship |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/david-geffen-scholarship_n_2301741.html |publisher=HuffPost |date=2012-12-14 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
== Recognition ==


Geffen made a major donation to the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]] (LACMA), resulting in the naming of the museum's new building as the David Geffen Galleries. In February 2026, LACMA announced that the David Geffen Galleries, described as the culmination of a two-decade campus transformation, would open to museum members on April 19, 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=LACMA's David Geffen Galleries Will Open on April 19, 2026 |url=https://unframed.lacma.org/2026/02/05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-will-open-april-19-2026 |publisher=Los Angeles County Museum of Art |date=2026-02-05 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-05 |title=LACMA sets opening date for highly anticipated David Geffen Galleries |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-02-05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-opening-date |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Geffen's contributions to the music industry have been recognized at the highest levels. In 2010, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in the non-performer category, acknowledging his role in shaping the careers of numerous influential artists and his impact on the recorded music business over several decades.<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 Induction Ceremony |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223194626/http://www.rockhall.com/induction2010/ |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Geffen has also made significant donations to [[Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts]] in New York City, the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, and numerous other cultural and educational institutions. His cumulative philanthropic giving has exceeded $1 billion.
The naming of major institutions after Geffen reflects the breadth of his recognized influence. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the David Geffen Hall at [[Lincoln Center]] in New York City, and the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA all bear his name in acknowledgment of his philanthropic support.<ref name="doj" /><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-05 |title=LACMA sets opening date for highly anticipated David Geffen Galleries |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-02-05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-opening-date |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Within the entertainment industry, Geffen has been recognized as one of the most influential executives of his generation. His career trajectory — from the mailroom of the William Morris Agency to co-founding one of the few new major film studios in Hollywood history — has been the subject of multiple books, profiles, and documentary treatments. The 1993 ''New York Times Magazine'' profile "David Geffen, Still Hungry" captured the paradox of a man who had already amassed great wealth and power yet continued to pursue new ventures with undiminished intensity.<ref name="nyt1993" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


David Geffen's influence on the American entertainment industry is extensive and multifaceted. As a record executive, he played a central role in the careers of artists who defined multiple generations of popular music, from the singer-songwriters of the early 1970s to the grunge movement of the 1990s. Asylum Records and Geffen Records each became defining labels of their respective eras, and Geffen's ability to identify and develop talent remained consistent across dramatic shifts in musical taste and industry structure.
David Geffen's legacy in the entertainment industry rests on his role in building institutions that shaped American popular culture from the 1970s onward. Asylum Records helped define the sound of the singer-songwriter era and launched the careers of artists whose music became foundational to the American rock canon. Geffen Records and DGC Records played central roles in the commercial breakthroughs of hard rock in the 1980s and alternative rock in the 1990s, with albums like ''Appetite for Destruction'' and ''Nevermind'' representing cultural turning points. DreamWorks SKG, despite its eventual dissolution as an independent entity, demonstrated that a new major studio could compete at the highest levels of the film industry, producing multiple Best Picture winners and creating one of the most successful animation studios in history.
 
As a film producer and studio co-founder, Geffen helped establish DreamWorks SKG as one of the most prominent independent studios in Hollywood history. The studio's output in both live-action and animated film earned critical acclaim and commercial success, and its formation represented a rare instance of a new major studio being created in an industry dominated by long-established conglomerates.
 
Geffen's philanthropic contributions have left a lasting imprint on education, medicine, and the arts in the United States. Institutions bearing his name — including the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, and the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA — serve as enduring markers of his impact beyond the entertainment business.


His public coming out in 1992 was a notable moment in the history of [[LGBT]] visibility in American public life, particularly within the entertainment industry. As one of the most powerful openly gay individuals in business, Geffen's visibility contributed to broader cultural shifts in attitudes toward sexual orientation.
Beyond his business achievements, Geffen's public identity as an openly gay man in the upper echelons of the entertainment industry represented a significant moment in the broader cultural shift toward acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in American public life. His political activism, including his opposition to Proposition 8, and his philanthropic contributions to institutions of medicine, education, and the arts have extended his influence well beyond the entertainment sector.


From the mailroom of the William Morris Agency to the co-founding of a major Hollywood studio, Geffen's career trajectory has been cited as one of the most remarkable in the history of the American entertainment industry.<ref name="nyt1993" />
Geffen's approach to the business — characterized by an emphasis on personal relationships, instinct for talent, and willingness to take risks on unconventional artists — influenced a generation of music and film executives. His career demonstrated that the role of the entrepreneur and talent advocate could be as culturally significant as that of the artists themselves, a principle acknowledged by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Geffen |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:Business executives]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:American people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American record executives]]
[[Category:American record producers]]
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:LGBT businesspeople]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:LGBT people from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Gay men]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:People from Malibu, California]]
[[Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Santa Monica College alumni]]
[[Category:DreamWorks co-founders]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Geffen Records]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Asylum Records]]
 
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Latest revision as of 01:56, 24 February 2026



David Geffen
Geffen in 1973
David Geffen
BornDavid Lawrence Geffen
21 2, 1943
BirthplaceNew York City, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationFilm producer, record executive, media proprietor
Known forCo-founding Asylum Records, Geffen Records, DreamWorks SKG
EducationSanta Monica College (no degree)
AwardsRock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2010)

David Lawrence Geffen (born February 21, 1943) is an American film producer, record executive, media proprietor, and philanthropist whose career spans more than five decades at the intersection of music, film, and entertainment business. Rising from a modest upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, Geffen built a series of influential enterprises that reshaped the American entertainment landscape, beginning with the co-founding of Asylum Records with Elliot Roberts in 1971 and continuing through the establishment of Geffen Records in 1980, the Geffen Film Company in 1982, and the co-founding of DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg in 1994. His record labels launched or sustained the careers of artists ranging from the Eagles and Joni Mitchell to Guns N' Roses and Nirvana, while his film and theatrical ventures produced critically acclaimed works across multiple media. Geffen has also become one of the most prominent philanthropists in the United States, making major donations to medical education, the arts, and civic institutions. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 in recognition of his transformative influence on the music industry.[1]

Early Life

David Lawrence Geffen was born on February 21, 1943, in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.[2] He grew up in a Jewish family of modest means. His mother, Batya, was an immigrant who ran a corset and brassiere shop, and his father, Abraham, held various jobs but was not a consistently strong earner. The household was shaped by his mother's entrepreneurial drive and determination, qualities that would later be reflected in Geffen's own career.

Geffen has described his childhood as one marked by economic insecurity but also by the influence of his mother's relentless work ethic. Growing up in Brooklyn during the 1940s and 1950s, he attended public schools and developed an early interest in the entertainment world. He was not a distinguished student academically and showed little inclination toward conventional career paths.

As a young man, Geffen moved to Los Angeles, a decision that would prove pivotal. He briefly attended Santa Monica College but did not complete a degree.[3] Despite lacking formal academic credentials, Geffen possessed a keen instinct for talent and an aggressive aptitude for deal-making that would serve as the foundation for his subsequent career in the entertainment industry.

Education

Geffen's formal education was limited. After finishing high school in Brooklyn, he enrolled at Santa Monica College in California but did not earn a degree.[3] His lack of a college degree became a notable element of his biography, as he went on to achieve extraordinary success in an industry where personal relationships, instinct, and negotiating skill often mattered more than academic credentials. Later in his career, Geffen would become a major benefactor to educational institutions, including the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, which was renamed in his honor following a significant donation.[4]

Career

Early Career in the Music Industry

Geffen entered the entertainment business in the 1960s, initially working in the mailroom of the William Morris Agency in New York City, a traditional entry point for aspiring talent agents.[5] He quickly advanced within the agency world, developing a reputation as an aggressive and perceptive talent scout. His early work brought him into contact with a generation of singer-songwriters and rock musicians who were transforming American popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Geffen became a personal manager, representing artists such as Laura Nyro, whose songwriting catalog he helped monetize through a lucrative publishing deal. The sale of Nyro's publishing rights provided Geffen with significant capital and established his reputation as a shrewd negotiator in the music business.

Asylum Records

In 1971, Geffen co-founded Asylum Records with music manager Elliot Roberts.[2] The label was established to serve the burgeoning Southern California singer-songwriter scene and quickly became one of the most influential record companies of the 1970s. Asylum signed and developed artists including the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and Tom Waits, among others. The label's roster defined the sound of the era, blending folk, rock, and country influences into what became known as the California sound.

Under Geffen's leadership, Asylum Records achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The label was eventually merged with Elektra Records to form Elektra/Asylum Records, and Geffen served as chairman of the combined entity. His tenure at Asylum cemented his status as one of the most powerful figures in the American music industry.

Geffen Records and DGC Records

After a period away from the music business during the late 1970s — during which Geffen dealt with health concerns and briefly taught at Yale University — he returned to found Geffen Records in 1980.[2] The new label was distributed initially by Warner Bros. Records and later by other major distributors.

Geffen Records became one of the most commercially successful independent labels of the 1980s and 1990s, signing a diverse roster that included John Lennon and Yoko Ono (whose album Double Fantasy was released on the label shortly before Lennon's assassination in December 1980), Donna Summer, Peter Gabriel, Aerosmith, and Whitesnake. The label also played a pivotal role in the careers of Guns N' Roses, whose debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987) became one of the best-selling debut albums in history.

In 1990, Geffen established DGC Records as a subsidiary label.[2] DGC achieved enormous cultural significance by signing Nirvana, whose album Nevermind (1991) is credited with bringing alternative rock and grunge music into the mainstream. The label also released records by Sonic Youth, Weezer, Beck, and Counting Crows, among other acts that shaped the alternative rock movement of the 1990s.

Geffen sold Geffen Records to MCA Inc. in 1990 in a deal that significantly increased his personal fortune. The transaction was one of the largest in the history of the recorded music industry at that time.

Film and Theater

Geffen expanded into the film industry in 1982 with the establishment of the Geffen Film Company (later known as Geffen Pictures).[3] The company produced and co-produced a number of notable films across various genres. Among the productions associated with the company were Risky Business (1983), Lost in America (1985), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Beetlejuice (1988), and Interview with the Vampire (1994).

Geffen was also active as a producer on Broadway, backing productions including the original staging of Cats and Dreamgirls. His involvement in theater demonstrated the breadth of his entertainment interests and his willingness to invest across multiple media platforms.

DreamWorks SKG

In 1994, Geffen co-founded DreamWorks SKG alongside director Steven Spielberg and former Walt Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg.[2] The venture was one of the most ambitious undertakings in Hollywood history, representing the first major new film studio to be established in decades. The "SKG" in the company's name derived from the initials of the three founders' surnames.

DreamWorks produced and distributed a wide range of films, including the Academy Award for Best Picture winner American Beauty (1999), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Gladiator (2000), and A Beautiful Mind (2001). The studio's animation division, DreamWorks Animation, produced the commercially successful Shrek franchise, Madagascar series, and Kung Fu Panda films.

In 1996, Geffen also co-founded DreamWorks Records with Mo Ostin, Michael Ostin, and Lenny Waronker, adding a music division to the DreamWorks enterprise.[2]

DreamWorks was eventually sold in parts: the live-action film division was acquired by Paramount Pictures (a subsidiary of Viacom) in 2006, and DreamWorks Animation was later purchased by NBCUniversal (a subsidiary of Comcast) in 2016. The sales generated substantial returns for the three founders.

Business Acumen and Industry Influence

Throughout his career, Geffen was noted for his ability to identify talent, negotiate favorable deals, and navigate the complex corporate structures of the entertainment industry. A 1993 profile in The New York Times described him as "still hungry," highlighting his restless ambition and his continued drive to build new ventures even after achieving great financial success.[5] His career has been cited as an example of how personal relationships and instinct can be as important as formal training in the entertainment business.[6]

Personal Life

David Geffen is openly gay. He came out publicly in the early 1990s, becoming one of the most prominent openly gay figures in the American business world.[2] Before coming out, Geffen had dated several women, including the singer Cher. In a 2026 interview, Cher discussed her past relationship with Geffen, stating that "we had an arrangement" and speaking openly about the nature of their connection.[7]

Geffen married in a same-sex marriage, though the relationship later ended. In 2025, reports emerged regarding divorce proceedings involving Geffen and his estranged husband. The case attracted media attention due to the scale of Geffen's fortune.[8][9]

Geffen has been a resident of Malibu, California, where he owns oceanfront property. A 2005 New York Times article described the exclusive character of the Malibu beachfront community where Geffen and other prominent figures maintained homes.[10]

Geffen is known to be an avid art collector. His personal art collection has been described as one of the most valuable in private hands.[11]

He has also owned several luxury yachts, including the Rising Sun, one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world, which he acquired from the estate of Larry Ellison.[12]

Philanthropy

Geffen has made substantial philanthropic contributions across the fields of medicine, education, and the arts. His donation to the UCLA School of Medicine resulted in the institution being renamed the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in his honor. The medical school has remained a subject of public attention; in January 2026, the United States Department of Justice sought to intervene in a lawsuit alleging that the school illegally considered race in its admissions process.[4]

In December 2012, Geffen announced a major scholarship program. As reported by The Huffington Post, the initiative was designed to support students in pursuing higher education.[13]

Geffen has also been a significant donor to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The museum's new building, the David Geffen Galleries, represents the culmination of a two-decade campus transformation. LACMA announced in February 2026 that the David Geffen Galleries would open to museum members on April 19, 2026, with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony.[14][15]

Geffen has additionally supported various civic and political causes. Records indicate that he contributed to the campaign against California Proposition 8, which sought to ban same-sex marriage in California in 2008.[16]

Recognition

Geffen's contributions to the music industry have been recognized at the highest levels. In 2010, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category, acknowledging his role in shaping the careers of numerous influential artists and his impact on the recorded music business over several decades.[17][18]

The naming of major institutions after Geffen reflects the breadth of his recognized influence. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, and the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA all bear his name in acknowledgment of his philanthropic support.[4][19]

Within the entertainment industry, Geffen has been recognized as one of the most influential executives of his generation. His career trajectory — from the mailroom of the William Morris Agency to co-founding one of the few new major film studios in Hollywood history — has been the subject of multiple books, profiles, and documentary treatments. The 1993 New York Times Magazine profile "David Geffen, Still Hungry" captured the paradox of a man who had already amassed great wealth and power yet continued to pursue new ventures with undiminished intensity.[5]

Legacy

David Geffen's legacy in the entertainment industry rests on his role in building institutions that shaped American popular culture from the 1970s onward. Asylum Records helped define the sound of the singer-songwriter era and launched the careers of artists whose music became foundational to the American rock canon. Geffen Records and DGC Records played central roles in the commercial breakthroughs of hard rock in the 1980s and alternative rock in the 1990s, with albums like Appetite for Destruction and Nevermind representing cultural turning points. DreamWorks SKG, despite its eventual dissolution as an independent entity, demonstrated that a new major studio could compete at the highest levels of the film industry, producing multiple Best Picture winners and creating one of the most successful animation studios in history.

Beyond his business achievements, Geffen's public identity as an openly gay man in the upper echelons of the entertainment industry represented a significant moment in the broader cultural shift toward acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in American public life. His political activism, including his opposition to Proposition 8, and his philanthropic contributions to institutions of medicine, education, and the arts have extended his influence well beyond the entertainment sector.

Geffen's approach to the business — characterized by an emphasis on personal relationships, instinct for talent, and willingness to take risks on unconventional artists — influenced a generation of music and film executives. His career demonstrated that the role of the entrepreneur and talent advocate could be as culturally significant as that of the artists themselves, a principle acknowledged by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "David Geffen".Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "David Geffen Fast Facts".CNN.2026-02-09.https://www.cnn.com/us/david-geffen-fast-facts.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "David Geffen".Film Reference.http://www.filmreference.com/film/25/David-Geffen.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "DOJ seeks to join lawsuit against David Geffen School of Medicine".Daily Bruin.2026-01-28.https://dailybruin.com/2026/01/28/doj-seeks-to-join-lawsuit-against-david-geffen-school-of-medicine.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "David Geffen, Still Hungry".The New York Times.1993-05-02.https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/02/magazine/david-geffen-still-hungry.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "One Plus One Equals Three".Pan Macmillan.https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/dave-trott/one-plus-one-equals-three.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Cher on Dating David Geffen, Who Later Came Out as Gay: "We Had an Arrangement"".Them.2026-01.https://www.them.us/story/cher-david-geffen-gay-arrangement-dating-relationship.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "David Geffen's Divorce Gives New Meaning to an Old Term".The New York Times.2025-07-29.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/style/hypergamy-david-geffen-divorce.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Marilyn B. Chinitz Discusses David Geffen's Divorce in the New York Daily News".Blank Rome LLP.2025-09-03.https://www.blankrome.com/news/marilyn-b-chinitz-discusses-david-geffens-divorce-new-york-daily-news.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "In Malibu, the Water's Fine. So Don't Come In.".The New York Times.2005-06-05.https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/fashion/sundaystyles/in-malibu-the-waters-fine-so-dont-come-in.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Private Wealth: Geffen's Art Collection Tops in Value".Wealth-X.2013.http://www.wealthx.com/articles/2013/private-wealth-geffens-art-collection-tops-in-value/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "David Geffen Takes Possession of 'Rising Sun', World's Sixth-Largest Yacht".BoatWork Times.https://web.archive.org/web/20111206032409/http://boatworktimes.com/yacht-mainmenu-26/luxury/4439-david-geffen-takes-possession-of-qrising-sunq-worlds-sixth-largest-yacht.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "David Geffen Scholarship".HuffPost.2012-12-14.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/david-geffen-scholarship_n_2301741.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "LACMA's David Geffen Galleries Will Open on April 19, 2026".Los Angeles County Museum of Art.2026-02-05.https://unframed.lacma.org/2026/02/05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-will-open-april-19-2026.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "LACMA sets opening date for highly anticipated David Geffen Galleries".Los Angeles Times.2026-02-05.https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-02-05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-opening-date.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Proposition 8 Donor Records".SFGate.https://web.archive.org/web/20081207142742/http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/?appSession=587482278271008&RecordID=14493&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "2010 Induction Ceremony".Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.https://web.archive.org/web/20091223194626/http://www.rockhall.com/induction2010/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "David Geffen".Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "LACMA sets opening date for highly anticipated David Geffen Galleries".Los Angeles Times.2026-02-05.https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-02-05/lacma-david-geffen-galleries-opening-date.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "David Geffen".Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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