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
| 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, and media proprietor whose career spans more than five decades at the intersection of music, film, theater, and philanthropy. Rising from modest beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, Geffen built a series of entertainment enterprises that reshaped the American music and film industries. He co-founded [[Asylum Records]] with Elliot Roberts in 1971, launched [[Geffen Records]] in 1980, and in 1994 co-founded [[DreamWorks SKG]] alongside [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]], establishing one of the first major new Hollywood studios in decades.<ref name="nyt1993">{{cite news |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> Beyond his business ventures, Geffen has become one of the most significant philanthropists in American cultural life, with major gifts to medical education, the arts, and civic institutions. His donation to the [[UCLA]] medical school led to its renaming as the David Geffen School of Medicine, and the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]] (LACMA) announced in 2026 that its new David Geffen Galleries would open on April 19 of that year, marking the culmination of a two-decade campus transformation.<ref name="lacma">{{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 name="latimes-lacma">{{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 was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2010 as a non-performer, in recognition of his transformative influence on the recording industry.<ref name="rockhall">{{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 [[Borough Park, Brooklyn|Borough Park]], 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 operated a corset and brassiere shop, and his father, Abraham, held various jobs. Geffen has spoken publicly about growing up in Brooklyn and the formative influence of his mother's entrepreneurial drive on his own ambitions.<ref name="nyt1993" />
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.


From an early age, Geffen demonstrated an interest in the entertainment world. He was drawn to music and show business, though his academic record was unremarkable. After graduating from high school in Brooklyn, Geffen moved to [[Los Angeles]], where he briefly attended [[Santa Monica College]] but did not obtain a degree.<ref name="cnn" /> His lack of formal academic credentials would later become a notable element of his biography, as he built one of the most significant careers in American entertainment without a college diploma.
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.


Geffen's early years in Los Angeles were characterized by ambition and resourcefulness. He sought entry into the entertainment business and eventually secured a position in the mailroom of the [[William Morris Agency]], one of the most prestigious talent agencies in Hollywood. This entry-level job provided Geffen with his first exposure to the inner workings of the entertainment industry and the professional relationships that would shape his career for decades to come.<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>
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 [[New Utrecht High School]] in Brooklyn before relocating to California. He enrolled at [[Santa Monica College]] in Los Angeles but did not complete a degree program.<ref name="cnn" /> Despite his lack of formal higher education, Geffen's career trajectory demonstrated an acute understanding of the music and film industries that he developed through practical experience rather than academic study. His later philanthropic contributions to educational institutions, including a transformative gift to UCLA's medical school, stand in contrast to his own abbreviated academic career.
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>


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


Geffen's professional career began at the [[William Morris Agency]], where he started in the mailroom — a traditional entry point for aspiring talent agents in Hollywood.<ref name="filmref" /> He quickly distinguished himself and rose through the agency's ranks, developing relationships with musicians and performers that would prove central to his subsequent ventures.
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.


By the late 1960s, Geffen had established himself as a talent manager, representing a roster of artists in the burgeoning California folk-rock and singer-songwriter scenes. His management work gave him an intimate understanding of the recording industry's economics and the creative needs of artists, knowledge that informed his decision to move into record label ownership.
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, a fellow talent manager.<ref name="nyt1993" /> The label was conceived as an artist-friendly alternative to the major recording companies of the era, and it quickly became one of the defining labels of the 1970s Southern California music scene. Asylum Records signed and developed a roster of artists who would become among the most commercially and critically successful musicians of their generation, including [[Jackson Browne]], [[the Eagles]], [[Linda Ronstadt]], and [[Joni Mitchell]].
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 label's success was built on Geffen's ability to identify and nurture talent, combined with his shrewd negotiating skills. Asylum Records was eventually merged with [[Elektra Records]] to form Elektra/Asylum Records, a division of [[Warner Communications]]. Geffen served as head of the combined label before departing to pursue new ventures.<ref name="filmref" />
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 ===
=== Geffen Records and DGC Records ===


After a period away from the music business during which he explored other interests, including a brief tenure teaching at [[Yale University]], Geffen returned to the recording industry in 1980 with the founding of [[Geffen Records]].<ref name="nyt1993" /> The new label became one of the most important record companies of the 1980s and 1990s, signing acts across a range of genres.
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' roster included [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]], whose album ''[[Double Fantasy]]'' was released on the label in 1980 — one of the most commercially significant releases of the decade. The label also signed [[Elton John]], [[Peter Gabriel]], and, in the hard rock and heavy metal arena, [[Guns N' Roses]] and [[Aerosmith]]. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Geffen Records played a central role in the alternative rock movement, signing [[Nirvana]] (through its subsidiary [[DGC Records]], founded in 1990) and releasing the band's landmark album ''[[Nevermind]]'' in 1991, which is credited with bringing alternative rock into the mainstream.
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 sold Geffen Records to [[MCA Inc.]] in 1990 in a deal that netted him hundreds of millions of dollars and cemented his status as one of the wealthiest figures in the entertainment industry.<ref name="nyt1993" />
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.
 
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 ===
=== Film and Theater ===


Geffen expanded into film production in 1982 with the founding of the Geffen Film Company (later known as [[Geffen Pictures]]).<ref name="filmref" /> The company produced a number of notable films over the following decade, including ''[[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). These productions demonstrated Geffen's range as a producer, spanning comedy, horror, and drama.
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 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway theater]], Geffen also made a significant mark. He was a producer of several successful stage productions, including ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'' and ''[[Dreamgirls]]'', further diversifying his entertainment portfolio.<ref name="cnn" />
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, [[Steven Spielberg]], and [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] announced the formation of [[DreamWorks SKG]] (the initials standing for Spielberg, Katzenberg, and Geffen), a new film studio that represented the first major new Hollywood studio to be created in decades.<ref name="nyt1993" /><ref name="filmref" /> The venture attracted enormous attention from the media and the entertainment industry, as it brought together three of the most successful figures in American entertainment.
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 wide range of films, including the Academy Award–winning ''[[American Beauty (film)|American Beauty]]'' (1999), ''[[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 and other animated features. In 1996, Geffen also co-founded [[DreamWorks Records]] with [[Mo Ostin]], Michael Ostin, and [[Lenny Waronker]], extending the DreamWorks brand into the music industry.
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.


DreamWorks' live-action film division was sold to [[Paramount Pictures]] in 2005, while DreamWorks Animation was eventually acquired by [[NBCUniversal]] in 2016. The founding and operation of DreamWorks represented the capstone of Geffen's career as a studio builder and solidified his position as one of the most influential figures in American entertainment history.<ref name="filmref" />
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" />


=== Business Acumen and Wealth ===
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.


Throughout his career, Geffen demonstrated a consistent ability to negotiate advantageous deals and to time the sale of his assets to maximize returns. His sale of Geffen Records to MCA, his share of the DreamWorks transactions, and his investments in real estate and art collectively built a fortune that placed him among the wealthiest individuals in the global entertainment industry.<ref name="nyt1993" />
=== Business Acumen and Industry Influence ===


Geffen has been known as a collector of fine art, and his collection has been valued among the most significant private art holdings in the world.<ref name="artcollection">{{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> He has also been an owner of significant real estate in [[Malibu, California]], where his property holdings have drawn media attention.<ref name="malibu">{{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 is also known for owning the yacht ''Rising Sun'', one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world, which he acquired from [[Larry Ellison]].<ref name="yacht">{{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>
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 first major Hollywood executives to do so.<ref name="cnn" /> His openness about his sexuality was considered significant in an industry that had long been reluctant to acknowledge the presence of gay executives and creatives in positions of power.
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>


Before coming out, Geffen had a widely publicized relationship with the singer [[Cher]] in the early 1970s. In a 2026 interview, Cher discussed the nature of their relationship, stating, "We had an arrangement," and acknowledged that Geffen later came out as gay.<ref name="cher">{{cite web |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 |publisher=Them |date=2026-01 |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>


Geffen was married to Jeremy Lingvall. In 2025, reports surfaced regarding divorce proceedings between the two, drawing attention to legal questions surrounding the division of assets.<ref name="nytdivorce">{{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 name="blankrome">{{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 was a donor in opposition to [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|California Proposition 8]], the 2008 ballot initiative that sought to ban same-sex marriage in California.<ref name="prop8">{{cite web |title=Proposition 8 Donor Database |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=San Francisco Chronicle |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 has maintained residences in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]] and [[New York City]]. His Malibu estate, situated on [[Carbon Beach]], has been a subject of media coverage regarding beach access rights and coastal property disputes.<ref name="malibu" />
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>


== Philanthropy ==
== Philanthropy ==


Geffen has made substantial philanthropic contributions across the fields of medicine, the arts, and education. His most prominent gift was a $200 million donation to the [[UCLA]] medical school, which was renamed the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in his honor.<ref name="cnn" /> In 2026, the [[United States Department of Justice]] sought to join a lawsuit alleging that the school illegally considered race in its admissions processes, bringing renewed public attention to the institution.<ref name="doj">{{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 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" />


Geffen has also been a major donor to the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]]. The museum's new building, designated the David Geffen Galleries, was announced to open on April 19, 2026, representing the culmination of a multi-decade transformation of the LACMA campus.<ref name="lacma" /><ref name="latimes-lacma" />
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>


In 2012, Geffen donated $100 million to establish the Geffen Scholars program at UCLA, which provides full-tuition scholarships and other support to students from underserved backgrounds.<ref name="scholarship">{{cite web |title=David Geffen Gives $100 Million Scholarship To UCLA |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>
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>


Other beneficiaries of Geffen's philanthropy have included [[Lincoln Center]] in New York City, where he made a significant donation to the renovation of [[David Geffen Hall]] (originally known as Avery Fisher Hall), and numerous organizations focused on [[HIV/AIDS]] research and advocacy.<ref name="cnn" />
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>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Geffen's contributions to the entertainment industry have been acknowledged through numerous honors. In 2010, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a non-performer, recognizing his impact on the recording industry through his founding of Asylum Records and Geffen Records and his support of generations of recording artists.<ref name="rockhall" /><ref name="rockhall2010">{{cite web |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 Induction |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>
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>


The naming of major institutions in his honor reflects the scope of his influence and generosity. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, and the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA each bear his name, a distinction shared by few living Americans across multiple fields.<ref name="lacma" /><ref name="cnn" />
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>


Geffen has been the subject of extensive media coverage throughout his career, including a detailed profile in ''[[The New York Times Magazine]]'' in 1993 titled "David Geffen, Still Hungry," which examined his career arc and his reputation as one of the most driven figures in the entertainment world.<ref name="nyt1993" />
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 career is notable for the breadth of its impact across multiple segments of the entertainment industry. In music, his founding of Asylum Records in 1971 helped define the sound of the Southern California singer-songwriter movement, while Geffen Records and DGC Records played central roles in the alternative rock revolution of the early 1990s. In film, his production companies contributed a string of commercially and critically successful films, and DreamWorks SKG represented a rare attempt to build a new major studio from scratch in the modern era.<ref name="filmref" />
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.
 
Geffen's career has also been examined for its broader implications regarding the entertainment industry's power structures, the economics of record labels, and the role of individual impresarios in shaping cultural tastes. His rise from the mailroom of the William Morris Agency to the co-founding of a major Hollywood studio is frequently cited as one of the most remarkable ascents in American business history.<ref name="nyt1993" />


His philanthropic legacy, particularly in the areas of medical education and the visual arts, has extended his influence beyond the entertainment industry. The opening of the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA in 2026 represents one of the most significant additions to the American museum landscape in recent years.<ref name="lacma" /><ref name="latimes-lacma" />
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.


As an openly gay man who came out publicly in the early 1990s — at a time when few figures of his stature in the entertainment industry had done so — Geffen's personal story has also been cited in the broader history of [[LGBT rights in the United States|LGBT rights]] and visibility in American corporate and cultural life.<ref name="cnn" />
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 />


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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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