Entrepreneur. An American talent agent and studio executive, he helped build an entertainment empire. He was the chairman and Chief Executive of MCA, Inc., the parent of Universal Studios. Originally founded in 1924, MCA or Music Corporation of America, was a booking agency for musicians but evolved into a huge media conglomerate. In 1990, MCA was sold and Wasserman was kept as a manager. Five years later he retired from management but kept the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus. He was on the Board of Directors until 1998. He was with MCA for more than 50 years, and he and its late founder, Jules Stein, built an entertainment giant, as well as running the famous "back lot" tour of Universal Studios. During his reign, some of the publics most favorite movies and television shows were made, including "Back to The Future" and "Miami Vice." Born Lewis Robert Wasserman into a Jewish family, he left high school before graduation, working as an usher, selling candy in a movie theatre, and managing a night club. He joined MCA and married Edith Beckerman in 1936, and the couple had a daughter. A longtime friend of President Ronald Reagan, Wasserman was one of the last "old-time" movie moguls. In 1995, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. He was inducted in the Television Hall of Fame. A larger-than-life-sized sculpture of him was erected at Universal Studios in Florida. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 5, 2007.
Entrepreneur. An American talent agent and studio executive, he helped build an entertainment empire. He was the chairman and Chief Executive of MCA, Inc., the parent of Universal Studios. Originally founded in 1924, MCA or Music Corporation of America, was a booking agency for musicians but evolved into a huge media conglomerate. In 1990, MCA was sold and Wasserman was kept as a manager. Five years later he retired from management but kept the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus. He was on the Board of Directors until 1998. He was with MCA for more than 50 years, and he and its late founder, Jules Stein, built an entertainment giant, as well as running the famous "back lot" tour of Universal Studios. During his reign, some of the publics most favorite movies and television shows were made, including "Back to The Future" and "Miami Vice." Born Lewis Robert Wasserman into a Jewish family, he left high school before graduation, working as an usher, selling candy in a movie theatre, and managing a night club. He joined MCA and married Edith Beckerman in 1936, and the couple had a daughter. A longtime friend of President Ronald Reagan, Wasserman was one of the last "old-time" movie moguls. In 1995, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. He was inducted in the Television Hall of Fame. A larger-than-life-sized sculpture of him was erected at Universal Studios in Florida. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 5, 2007.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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