Isaac Larian is the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the company behind Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, and dozens of other iconic toy brands. But long before he built one of the largest private toy companies in the world, Isaac was a Jewish kid growing up in Tehran, where he faced antisemitism, bullying, and poverty. After arriving in America alone at 17 with just $753 in his pocket, Isaac worked the graveyard shift washing dishes while putting himself through college. He later built a successful electronics distribution business, became one of Nintendo's largest distributors, and eventually shifted into toys, where he created some of the most successful doll brands of the last two decades. In 2026, Isaac was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in recognition of his transformative impact on the industry and his role in creating global brands including Bratz and L.O.L. Surprise!.In this episode of Big Shot, Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Isaac to discuss the experiences that shaped his relentless drive, the lessons he learned from failure, and the persistence that helped him build MGA Entertainment. They talk about his years in electronics, how he broke into Nintendo, why getting cut off led him into licensing, the creation of Bratz, the battle with Mattel, and why he believes fortune favors the bold. —In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(02:43) How Isaac's childhood experiences with antisemitism and poverty in Iran shaped him(14:27) Arriving in America at 17 with $753 and getting his first job(19:40) Why the survival instinct never leaves him(24:44) Why he studied civil engineering (27:05) How he got into mail order and shifted to electronics(36:58) How he learned to be a good storyteller (39:50) Becoming a distributor for Nintendo (49:53) Why he got cut out of Nintendo and shifted into licensing (53:45) Getting into the doll business (57:08) The creation of Bratz(1:02:46) Going all in on Bratz(1:05:50) The battle with Mattel and the toll it took on Isaac(1:13:23) How he built lasting business relationships(1:16:20) The case for crying as a show of strength (1:17:01) Why he loves his work and his advice for the next generation —Where To Find Isaac Larian:X: <a href="https://x.com/realIsaacLarian" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/realIsaacLarian</a>Website: <a href="https://www.mgae.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.mgae.com</a> Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> • David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

Isaac Larian is the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the company behind Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, and dozens of other iconic toy brands. But long before he built one of the largest private toy companies in the world, Isaac was a Jewish kid growing up in Tehran, where he faced antisemitism, bullying, and poverty. After arriving in America alone at 17 with just $753 in his pocket, Isaac worked the graveyard shift washing dishes while putting himself through college. He later built a successful electronics distribution business, became one of Nintendo's largest distributors, and eventually shifted into toys, where he created some of the most successful doll brands of the last two decades. In 2026, Isaac was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in recognition of his transformative impact on the industry and his role in creating global brands including Bratz and L.O.L. Surprise!. In this episode of Big Shot, Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Isaac to discuss the experiences that shaped his relentless drive, the lessons he learned from failure, and the persistence that helped him build MGA Entertainment. They talk about his years in electronics, how he broke into Nintendo, why getting cut off led him into licensing, the creation of Bratz, the battle with Mattel, and why he believes fortune favors the bold. — In This Episode We Cover: (00:00) Intro (02:43) How Isaac's childhood experiences with antisemitism and poverty in Iran shaped him (14:27) Arriving in America at 17 with $753 and getting his first job (19:40) Why the survival instinct never leaves him (24:44) Why he studied civil engineering (27:05) How he got into mail order and shifted to electronics (36:58) How he learned to be a good storyteller (39:50) Becoming a distributor for Nintendo (49:53) Why he got cut out of Nintendo and shifted into licensing (53:45) Getting into the doll business (57:08) The creation of Bratz (1:02:46) Going all in on Bratz (1:05:50) The battle with Mattel and the toll it took on Isaac (1:13:23) How he built lasting business relationships (1:16:20) The case for crying as a show of strength (1:17:01) Why he loves his work and his advice for the next generation — Where To Find Isaac Larian: X: https://x.com/realIsaacLarian Website: https://www.mgae.com Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Isaac Larian is the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the company behind Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, and dozens of other iconic toy brands. But long before he built one of the largest private toy companies in the world, Isaac was a Jewish kid growing up in Tehran, where he faced antisemitism, bullying, and poverty.&nbsp;After arriving in America alone at 17 with just $753 in his pocket, Isaac worked the graveyard shift washing dishes while putting himself through college. He later built a successful electronics distribution business, became one of Nintendo's largest distributors, and eventually shifted into toys, where he created some of the most successful doll brands of the last two decades. In 2026, Isaac was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in recognition of his transformative impact on the industry and his role in creating global brands including Bratz and L.O.L. Surprise!.In this episode of Big Shot, Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Isaac to discuss the experiences that shaped his relentless drive, the lessons he learned from failure, and the persistence that helped him build MGA Entertainment. They talk about his years in electronics, how he broke into Nintendo, why getting cut off led him into licensing, the creation of Bratz, the battle with Mattel, and why he believes fortune favors the bold. —In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(02:43) How Isaac's childhood experiences with antisemitism and poverty in Iran shaped him(14:27) Arriving in America at 17 with $753 and getting his first job(19:40) Why the survival instinct never leaves him(24:44) Why he studied civil engineering&nbsp;(27:05) How he got into mail order and shifted to electronics(36:58) How he learned to be a good storyteller&nbsp;(39:50) Becoming a distributor for Nintendo&nbsp;(49:53) Why he got cut out of Nintendo and shifted into licensing&nbsp;(53:45) Getting into the doll business&nbsp;(57:08) The creation of Bratz(1:02:46) Going all in on Bratz(1:05:50) The battle with Mattel and the toll it took on Isaac(1:13:23) How he built lasting business relationships(1:16:20) The case for crying as a show of strength&nbsp;(1:17:01) Why he loves his work and his advice for the next generation —Where To Find Isaac Larian:X: <a href="https://x.com/realIsaacLarian" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/realIsaacLarian</a>Website: <a href="https://www.mgae.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mgae.com</a> Where To Find Big Shot:&nbsp;• Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>&nbsp;• David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

How a 17-Year-Old From Tehran Turned $750 Into a Toy Empire | Isaac Larian

Irwin Winkler has spent more than six decades in Hollywood, producing films that have earned 52 Academy Award nominations and helped define generations of moviegoers. His credits include Rocky, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Right Stuff, and The Irishman, but the path that led to those films was anything but predictable.In this episode of Big Shot, hosts Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Irwin to look back on the twists, turns, relationships, and moments of good fortune that shaped his remarkable career. From the William Morris mailroom to launching an agency with Robert Chartoff, from representing Julie Christie to hearing Sylvester Stallone pitch Rocky, Irwin shares the stories behind a life spent at the center of the movie business.Along the way, he reflects on the people who changed his life, the opportunities he almost missed, and the unexpected chain of events that led from a kid growing up in Brooklyn to one of the most successful producers in Hollywood history.—In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(03:13) Growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (07:11) Moving to the Sea Gate in Coney Island(08:26) Irwin's first attempt at NYU(10:22) Why he enlisted in the Army (10:55) Back to NYU after the Army(12:00) How he got interested in working for a talent agency(14:20) From summer mailroom gig at William Morris to full-time job (18:45) Climbing the ranks at William Morris(23:18) Leaving William Morris to work with Bob Chartoff (29:14) How Julie Christie helped launch his producing career(39:47) Meeting Sylvester Stallone and hearing the Rocky pitch(48:53) Rocky's reception and the reshoot that saved the film(51:48) How he started working with Martin Scorsese(53:54) Managing productions and safeguarding creatives(57:01) How Rocky II helped get Raging Bull made(59:45) Funding movies then vs. now (1:01:47) Irwin’s thoughts on AI and CGI (1:03:14) The role of luck, hard work, and partnerships in his success(1:07:12) The story of meeting Jack Warner and the Six-Day War(1:10:21) Irwin's perspective on Jewish success in business and entertainment —Where To Find Irwin Winkler:• Website: <a href="https://winklerfilms.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://winklerfilms.com</a>Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> • David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

Irwin Winkler has spent more than six decades in Hollywood, producing films that have earned 52 Academy Award nominations and helped define generations of moviegoers. His credits include Rocky, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Right Stuff, and The Irishman, but the path that led to those films was anything but predictable. In this episode of Big Shot, hosts Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Irwin to look back on the twists, turns, relationships, and moments of good fortune that shaped his remarkable career. From the William Morris mailroom to launching an agency with Robert Chartoff, from representing Julie Christie to hearing Sylvester Stallone pitch Rocky, Irwin shares the stories behind a life spent at the center of the movie business. Along the way, he reflects on the people who changed his life, the opportunities he almost missed, and the unexpected chain of events that led from a kid growing up in Brooklyn to one of the most successful producers in Hollywood history. — In This Episode We Cover: (00:00) Intro (03:13) Growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (07:11) Moving to the Sea Gate in Coney Island (08:26) Irwin's first attempt at NYU (10:22) Why he enlisted in the Army (10:55) Back to NYU after the Army (12:00) How he got interested in working for a talent agency (14:20) From summer mailroom gig at William Morris to full-time job (18:45) Climbing the ranks at William Morris (23:18) Leaving William Morris to work with Bob Chartoff (29:14) How Julie Christie helped launch his producing career (39:47) Meeting Sylvester Stallone and hearing the Rocky pitch (48:53) Rocky's reception and the reshoot that saved the film (51:48) How he started working with Martin Scorsese (53:54) Managing productions and safeguarding creatives (57:01) How Rocky II helped get Raging Bull made (59:45) Funding movies then vs. now (1:01:47) Irwin’s thoughts on AI and CGI (1:03:14) The role of luck, hard work, and partnerships in his success (1:07:12) The story of meeting Jack Warner and the Six-Day War (1:10:21) Irwin's perspective on Jewish success in business and entertainment — Where To Find Irwin Winkler: • Website: https://winklerfilms.com Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Irwin Winkler has spent more than six decades in Hollywood, producing films that have earned 52 Academy Award nominations and helped define generations of moviegoers. His credits include Rocky, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Right Stuff, and The Irishman, but the path that led to those films was anything but predictable.In this episode of Big Shot, hosts Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Irwin to look back on the twists, turns, relationships, and moments of good fortune that shaped his remarkable career. From the William Morris mailroom to launching an agency with Robert Chartoff, from representing Julie Christie to hearing Sylvester Stallone pitch Rocky, Irwin shares the stories behind a life spent at the center of the movie business.Along the way, he reflects on the people who changed his life, the opportunities he almost missed, and the unexpected chain of events that led from a kid growing up in Brooklyn to one of the most successful producers in Hollywood history.—In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(03:13) Growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn&nbsp;(07:11) Moving to the Sea Gate in Coney Island(08:26) Irwin's first attempt at NYU(10:22) Why he enlisted in the Army&nbsp;(10:55) Back to NYU after the Army(12:00) How he got interested in working for a talent agency(14:20) From summer mailroom gig at William Morris to full-time job&nbsp;(18:45) Climbing the ranks at William Morris(23:18) Leaving William Morris to work with Bob Chartoff&nbsp;(29:14) How Julie Christie helped launch his producing career(39:47) Meeting Sylvester Stallone and hearing the Rocky pitch(48:53) Rocky's reception and the reshoot that saved the film(51:48) How he started working with Martin Scorsese(53:54) Managing productions and safeguarding creatives(57:01) How Rocky II helped get Raging Bull made(59:45) Funding movies then vs. now&nbsp;(1:01:47) Irwin’s thoughts on AI and CGI&nbsp;(1:03:14) The role of luck, hard work, and partnerships in his success(1:07:12) The story of meeting Jack Warner and the Six-Day War(1:10:21) Irwin's perspective on Jewish success in business and entertainment —Where To Find Irwin Winkler:• Website: <a href="https://winklerfilms.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://winklerfilms.com</a>Where To Find Big Shot:&nbsp;• Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>&nbsp;• David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

The Coney Island Kid Who Made Rocky, Goodfellas, and Raging Bull | Irwin Winkler

Barry Diller started in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, but he had no interest in becoming an agent. He didn’t hustle the way others did. Instead, he spent his time in the file room, reading everything he could and learning how the business actually worked. By his own account, he likely would have been fired if not for one thing: his connection to Danny Thomas.In this episode of Big Shot, Barry sits down with Harley and David to reflect on the path that took him from that mailroom to running studios, building networks, and shaping modern media. He shares how his ambition came later, not as something he chased but something he discovered, and how his career was shaped as much by timing and luck as by intention.Along the way, Barry walks through the decisions that defined his career, from rising quickly through ABC and becoming chairman of Paramount at 32, to building the Fox network alongside Rupert Murdoch, and later taking control of IAC and acquiring companies like Expedia.This is a conversation about instinct, timing, and the willingness to walk through the door when it opens.—In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(03:32) Barry’s early heroes and influences(05:16) Where his ambition came from(06:50) Getting his start in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency(08:53) What he learned from reading client files at William Morris(12:10) Working as an assistant at William Morris(14:00) How he got a job at ABC(16:32) Barry’s thoughts on serendipity(19:20) Developing The Movie of the Week and miniseries at ABC(22:32) Becoming chairman of Paramount at 32(26:44) Working with Charles Bluhdorn(28:20) Why he still feels like he hasn’t made it(30:00) Building the Fox network and bringing Rupert Murdoch on board(34:06) How he took control of IAC(38:07) The story behind buying Expedia(40:47) Barry’s leadership philosophy(41:37) M&A strategy at IAC(44:43) How Eastern European Jews built Hollywood(47:36) Barry’s relationship to Jewish culture —Where To Find Barry Diller:• Website: <a href="https://www.iac.com/leadership/barry-diller" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.iac.com/leadership/barry-diller</a>Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> • David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

Barry Diller started in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, but he had no interest in becoming an agent. He didn’t hustle the way others did. Instead, he spent his time in the file room, reading everything he could and learning how the business actually worked. By his own account, he likely would have been fired if not for one thing: his connection to Danny Thomas. In this episode of Big Shot, Barry sits down with Harley and David to reflect on the path that took him from that mailroom to running studios, building networks, and shaping modern media. He shares how his ambition came later, not as something he chased but something he discovered, and how his career was shaped as much by timing and luck as by intention. Along the way, Barry walks through the decisions that defined his career, from rising quickly through ABC and becoming chairman of Paramount at 32, to building the Fox network alongside Rupert Murdoch, and later taking control of IAC and acquiring companies like Expedia. This is a conversation about instinct, timing, and the willingness to walk through the door when it opens. — In This Episode We Cover: (00:00) Intro (03:32) Barry’s early heroes and influences (05:16) Where his ambition came from (06:50) Getting his start in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency (08:53) What he learned from reading client files at William Morris (12:10) Working as an assistant at William Morris (14:00) How he got a job at ABC (16:32) Barry’s thoughts on serendipity (19:20) Developing The Movie of the Week and miniseries at ABC (22:32) Becoming chairman of Paramount at 32 (26:44) Working with Charles Bluhdorn (28:20) Why he still feels like he hasn’t made it (30:00) Building the Fox network and bringing Rupert Murdoch on board (34:06) How he took control of IAC (38:07) The story behind buying Expedia (40:47) Barry’s leadership philosophy (41:37) M&A strategy at IAC (44:43) How Eastern European Jews built Hollywood (47:36) Barry’s relationship to Jewish culture — Where To Find Barry Diller: • Website: https://www.iac.com/leadership/barry-diller Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Barry Diller started in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, but he had no interest in becoming an agent. He didn’t hustle the way others did. Instead, he spent his time in the file room, reading everything he could and learning how the business actually worked. By his own account, he likely would have been fired if not for one thing: his connection to Danny Thomas.In this episode of Big Shot, Barry sits down with Harley and David to reflect on the path that took him from that mailroom to running studios, building networks, and shaping modern media. He shares how his ambition came later, not as something he chased but something he discovered, and how his career was shaped as much by timing and luck as by intention.Along the way, Barry walks through the decisions that defined his career, from rising quickly through ABC and becoming chairman of Paramount at 32, to building the Fox network alongside Rupert Murdoch, and later taking control of IAC and acquiring companies like Expedia.This is a conversation about instinct, timing, and the willingness to walk through the door when it opens.—In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(03:32) Barry’s early heroes and influences(05:16) Where his ambition came from(06:50) Getting his start in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency(08:53) What he learned from reading client files at William Morris(12:10) Working as an assistant at William Morris(14:00) How he got a job at ABC(16:32) Barry’s thoughts on serendipity(19:20) Developing The Movie of the Week and miniseries at ABC(22:32) Becoming chairman of Paramount at 32(26:44) Working with Charles Bluhdorn(28:20) Why he still feels like he hasn’t made it(30:00) Building the Fox network and bringing Rupert Murdoch on board(34:06) How he took control of IAC(38:07) The story behind buying Expedia(40:47) Barry’s leadership philosophy(41:37) M&amp;A strategy at IAC(44:43) How Eastern European Jews built Hollywood(47:36) Barry’s relationship to Jewish culture —Where To Find Barry Diller:• Website: <a href="https://www.iac.com/leadership/barry-diller" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.iac.com/leadership/barry-diller</a>Where To Find Big Shot:&nbsp;• Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>&nbsp;• David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

From Paramount to Fox to Expedia: How Barry Diller Built One Massive Business After Another

Jeffrey Katzenberg was one of the youngest studio heads in Hollywood when he was named president of Paramount Pictures at just 31. Over the decades that followed, he would help shape modern animation and co-found DreamWorks alongside<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg"> </a>Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Jeffrey to explore the experiences that shaped his career and leadership approach. He reflects on lessons from his father, whose generosity left a lasting impression, and on a moment with Kirk Douglas that reinforced the idea that you have not truly learned how to live until you have learned how to give.Jeffrey traces his path through Hollywood, from working with Barry Diller to helping lead Disney during a pivotal era for animation, and how being fired from Disney led him to build DreamWorks. Along the way, Jeffrey reflects on failure, success, and the mindset that has guided him through decades in Hollywood, and shares why he never rests on past success, keeping his eyes on what’s next.—In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(02:40) Lessons from his father and Kirk Douglas(12:01) Volunteering for NYC mayor John Lindsay(12:40) Growing up with dyslexia(16:44) The philosophy of exceeding expectations(25:24) Jeffrey’s role in revitalizing Disney animation(33:32) Storytelling lessons from Walt Disney(37:16) Building DreamWorks as its own brand(43:29) Getting fired from Disney and forming the Dreamworks team(57:04) Movie studio economics (59:32) Venture capital vs. filmmaking (1:05:26) A story about Jeffrey’s father and the drive of Jewish parents(1:09:29) Dealing with failure —Where To Find Jeffrey Katzenberg:• LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-katzenberg-4b3b47123">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-katzenberg-4b3b47123</a>• Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.katzenberg">https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.katzenberg</a>• Website: <a href="https://www.wndrco.com">https://www.wndrco.com</a> Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠  • Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> • David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

Jeffrey Katzenberg was one of the youngest studio heads in Hollywood when he was named president of Paramount Pictures at just 31. Over the decades that followed, he would help shape modern animation and co-found DreamWorks alongside Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Jeffrey to explore the experiences that shaped his career and leadership approach. He reflects on lessons from his father, whose generosity left a lasting impression, and on a moment with Kirk Douglas that reinforced the idea that you have not truly learned how to live until you have learned how to give. Jeffrey traces his path through Hollywood, from working with Barry Diller to helping lead Disney during a pivotal era for animation, and how being fired from Disney led him to build DreamWorks. Along the way, Jeffrey reflects on failure, success, and the mindset that has guided him through decades in Hollywood, and shares why he never rests on past success, keeping his eyes on what’s next. — In This Episode We Cover: (00:00) Intro (02:40) Lessons from his father and Kirk Douglas (12:01) Volunteering for NYC mayor John Lindsay (12:40) Growing up with dyslexia (16:44) The philosophy of exceeding expectations (25:24) Jeffrey’s role in revitalizing Disney animation (33:32) Storytelling lessons from Walt Disney (37:16) Building DreamWorks as its own brand (43:29) Getting fired from Disney and forming the Dreamworks team (57:04) Movie studio economics (59:32) Venture capital vs. filmmaking (1:05:26) A story about Jeffrey’s father and the drive of Jewish parents (1:09:29) Dealing with failure — Where To Find Jeffrey Katzenberg: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-katzenberg-4b3b47123 • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.katzenberg • Website: https://www.wndrco.com Where To Find Big Shot: • Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Jeffrey Katzenberg was one of the youngest studio heads in Hollywood when he was named president of Paramount Pictures at just 31. Over the decades that followed, he would help shape modern animation and co-found DreamWorks alongside<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a>Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Jeffrey to explore the experiences that shaped his career and leadership approach. He reflects on lessons from his father, whose generosity left a lasting impression, and on a moment with Kirk Douglas that reinforced the idea that you have not truly learned how to live until you have learned how to give.Jeffrey traces his path through Hollywood, from working with Barry Diller to helping lead Disney during a pivotal era for animation, and how being fired from Disney led him to build DreamWorks.&nbsp;Along the way, Jeffrey reflects on failure, success, and the mindset that has guided him through decades in Hollywood, and shares why he never rests on past success, keeping his eyes on what’s next.—In This Episode We Cover:(00:00) Intro(02:40) Lessons from his father and Kirk Douglas(12:01) Volunteering for NYC mayor John Lindsay(12:40) Growing up with dyslexia(16:44) The philosophy of exceeding expectations(25:24) Jeffrey’s role in revitalizing Disney animation(33:32) Storytelling lessons from Walt Disney(37:16) Building DreamWorks as its own brand(43:29) Getting fired from Disney and forming the Dreamworks team(57:04) Movie studio economics&nbsp;(59:32) Venture capital vs. filmmaking&nbsp;(1:05:26) A story about Jeffrey’s father and the drive of Jewish parents(1:09:29) Dealing with failure —Where To Find Jeffrey Katzenberg:• LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-katzenberg-4b3b47123" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-katzenberg-4b3b47123</a>• Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.katzenberg" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.katzenberg</a>• Website: <a href="https://www.wndrco.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.wndrco.com</a>&nbsp;Where To Find Big Shot:&nbsp;• Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a><a href="https://www.bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>⁠&nbsp;&nbsp;• Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>&nbsp;• David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>• Production and Marketing: <a href="https://penname.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠</a>

Disney Fired Him. He Built DreamWorks, Shrek, and a $3.8B Empire | Jeffrey Katzenberg

Many of the greatest stories of entrepreneurship have never been told. It’s time to change that. Big Shot is an archive and celebration of Jewish entrepreneurs who took risks, overcame the odds, and created legendary businesses that changed the game. Each episode documents the memories, culture, hardship, and chutzpah it takes to become a big shot.  
—  
Where To Find Big Shot  
Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/">bigshot.show</a> 
YouTube: <a href="//https:/ww.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast ">https:/www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast</a> 
TikTok: <a href="ttps://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow">https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow</a>  
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/">https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/</a>  
Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf">https://twitter.com/harleyf</a> 
David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick">https://twitter.com/tea_maverick</a> 
—  
Production and marketing by <a href="https://penname.co/">https://penname.co/</a>

Many of the greatest stories of entrepreneurship have never been told. It’s time to change that. Big Shot is an archive and celebration of Jewish entrepreneurs who took risks, overcame the odds, and created legendary businesses that changed the game. Each episode documents the memories, culture, hardship, and chutzpah it takes to become a big shot. — Where To Find Big Shot Website: bigshot.show YouTube: https:/www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/ Harley Finkelstein: https://twitter.com/harleyf David Segal: https://twitter.com/tea_maverick — Production and marketing by https://penname.co/

Many of the greatest stories of entrepreneurship have never been told. It’s time to change that. Big Shot is an archive and celebration of Jewish entrepreneurs who took risks, overcame the odds, and created legendary businesses that changed the game. Each episode documents the memories, culture, hardship, and chutzpah it takes to become a big shot. &nbsp;
— &nbsp;
Where To Find Big Shot &nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://bigshot.show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">bigshot.show</a>&nbsp;
YouTube: <a href="//https:/ww.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast " rel="noopener noreferrer">https:/www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast</a>&nbsp;
TikTok: <a rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow</a> &nbsp;
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/</a> &nbsp;
Harley Finkelstein: <a href="https://twitter.com/harleyf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/harleyf</a>&nbsp;
David Segal: <a href="https://twitter.com/tea_maverick" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/tea_maverick</a>&nbsp;
— &nbsp;
Production and marketing by <a href="https://penname.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://penname.co/</a>

Welcome to Big Shot

If the walls of Kosher delis could speak, they would (schm)ooze invaluable wisdom and endless laughs. Harley Finkelstein (Shopify) and David Segal (DAVIDsTEA) are Jewish entrepreneurs influenced by the greats who came before them. But, they realized no one was archiving the best behind-the-scenes stories ever told. Before time was up, they set out on a passion project to preserve the memories, mishaps, and wins of the people who have seen it all. Big Shot tells the stories of the people that shaped an entire generation.

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