David Lawrence Geffen was born on February 21, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Soviet Jews who had emigrated to Brooklyn's developing Russian community. His father, Abraham, was a pattern maker, while his mother, Batya, made and sold women's undergarments out of a small shop. An ardent reader, Geffen was influenced toward an entertainment career by the book “Hollywood Rajah,” the life story of Louis B. Mayer, a movie mogul. Due to this impact, Geffen involved himself in drama and music in high school. After graduating from high school in 1960, Geffen travelled west to the University of Texas at Austin. He only attended one semester until he failed with inferior grades. He then worked a series of odd jobs in New York City before …show more content…
His major accomplishments during this period were signing Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and The Band for the new Elektra/Asylum label, which became one of Warner Communications most profitable subsidiaries. One of his many challenges came in 1975 when Warner Communication’s chief Steve Ross asked Geffen to take on the job of vice chairman of Warner Brothers Pictures. With no experience in the movie business, Geffen jumped at the chance but only had mediocre success during his first year on the job. He felt repressed by the corporate decision-making arrangement and inquired for a more flexible portfolio. After a four-year semi-retirement expedited by a misdiagnosis of bladder cancer, Geffen returned to the music business in 1980. He founded Geffen Records with capital assistance from Warner and began searching for new and established talent. John Lennon, Elton John, and Donna Summer were among the acts who released records on the Geffen trademark. Two years later, with help from Warner again, the Geffen Film Company was put into motion. The company's earliest release, the 1983 comedy “Risky Business” was a massive hit with audiences. During this period, Geffen also expanded his portfolio to include Broadway and off-Broadway theater. He helped bankroll successful productions such as “Dreamgirls”, “Little Shop of Horrors,” and