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David Picker
David Picker
Date of Birth
David Picker was an American film and television producer.
His career began in 1956 when he worked in advertising and publicity at the United Artists film studio. He quickly rose in the ranks, becoming the assistant to the president and then managing United Artists Records. Picker became CEO of United Artists in 1970.
David Picker was an American film and television producer.
His career began in 1956 when he worked in advertising and publicity at the United Artists film studio. He quickly rose in the ranks, becoming the assistant to the president and then managing United Artists Records. Picker became CEO of United Artists in 1970.
Picker brought Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels to the studio, which became one of the most successful film franchises in history. He also signed the Beatles to a three-picture deal and helped oversee the releases of A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, and Yellow Submarine. He is also credited with bringing iconic films such as Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango in Paris to United Artists, as well as helping to launch the film careers of Woody Allen and Steve Martin.
Other films Picker made later in his career include Lenny, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Ordinary People, and Being There.
He later served as president of Hallmark Entertainment Productions Worldwide, for which he oversaw the Emmy Award-winning miniseries The Temptations, and P.T. Barnum.
Picker died April 20, 2019, in New York City, New York. He was 87.
The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more