Co-Founder of CAA & Former President of The Walt Disney Company; Author of "Who Is Michael Ovitz?"

Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Michael Ovitz Biography

Michael Ovitz's career began with a noteworthy feat, as he co-founded the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and remained its chairman until 1995. Under his leadership, CAA flourished, becoming the world's leading talent agency as it expanded into various spheres, including film, investment banking, and advertising. His tenure at CAA is marked by several prominent business mergers and deals that he negotiated, such as Matsushita's acquisition of MCA/Universal and Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures. One of his most notable negotiations was David Letterman's move from NBC to CBS, a landmark event in television history.

Ovitz then went on to serve as the president of The Walt Disney Company from October 1995 until January 1997. Despite his short tenure, his departure was marked by a substantial severance package valued at $38 million in cash and an estimated $100 million in stock. In 1999, Ovitz founded the Artist Management Group (AMG), which he later sold to Jeff Kwatinetz in 2002. Apart from his corporate endeavors, Ovitz also ventured into the realm of private investment and engaged in various business ventures, including an attempt to introduce an NFL team to Los Angeles.

Outside of his business pursuits, Ovitz is also known for his philanthropy and his contributions to the art world. He donated $25 million to UCLA's Medical Center in 1999 and has supported various charitable causes. As an art collector, he is recognized among the world's top 200, owning works by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko. His experiences at CAA and The Walt Disney Company have been captured in his memoir, "Who is Michael Ovitz?".

BOOK Michael Ovitz

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/20/2025.

Michael Ovitz Videos

AI will have extraordinary ability to cut movie production costs, says CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz

AI will have extraordinary ability to cut movie production costs, says CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz

Michael Ovitz, Creative Artists Agency Co-Founder and former Walt Disney president, joins CNBC's "Halftime Report" to discuss AI, Tech and what it...

Michael Ovitz on His Legacy in Hollywood, CAA, & The Book That ...

Michael Ovitz on His Legacy in Hollywood, CAA, & The Book That ...

On episode 293 of the #AskGaryVee Show, the legendary business man and author, Michael Ovitz stops by and we talk about: - Creative Artists ...

Legendary agent Michael Ovitz discusses Netflix's brilliant takedown ...

Legendary agent Michael Ovitz discusses Netflix's brilliant takedown ...

Michael Ovitz, co-founder of Creative Artists Agency, which represents actors like Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro, said on CNBC's Halftime ...

  • How do I book Michael Ovitz to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael Ovitz for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael Ovitz, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael Ovitz or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Michael Ovitz

    Speaking fees for Michael Ovitz, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael Ovitz are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael Ovitz, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Michael Ovitz speak about?

  • Where does Michael Ovitz travel from?

    Michael Ovitz generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Michael Ovitz’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Michael Ovitz for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael Ovitz for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael Ovitz or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Michael Ovitz is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael Ovitz for your event is available upon request. Michael Ovitz generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Amy Jo Martin, R "Ray" Wang, Heather J. Crider, Dr. Michael Time and Tony Giordano. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael Ovitz for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP