Michael Ovitz

Michael S. Ovitz (born December 14, 1946) is an American talent agent who co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and served as its chairman until 1995; Mr. Ovitz also served as President of the Walt Disney Company, from October 1995 to January 1997. Ovitz was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of a liquor wholesaler. Raised in Encino, CA, he attended Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, a classmate of Sally Field. While a premed student at UCLA, he began his entertainment career as a part time tour guide at Universal Studios. In 1968 he graduated from UCLA with a degree in theater, film and television, securing a job in the mail room at the William Morris Agency. Within a year he was promoted, becoming a highly successful TV agent before leaving six years later with four young colleagues to found Creative Artists Agency. Ovitz founded Creative Artists Agency in 1975 along with fellow William Morris Agents Ron Meyer, Bill Haber, Rowland Perkins, and Mike Rosenfeld.