David Geffen Biography: Career, Age, Net Wort, Wikipedia, Parents, Siblings, Height, Wife

David Lawrence Geffen is a highly successful and influential figure in the American entertainment industry. He is known for his significant contribution to American film producer, record executive, and media proprietor.

In the world of music, he co-founded Asylum Records with Elliot Roberts in 1971 and went on to establish Geffen Records in 1980, DGC Records in 1990, and DreamWorks Records in 1996.

Geffen’s impressive career has left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment and has helped shape the landscape of the industry.

Profile

• Full Name: David Lawrence Geffen
• Stage Name: David Geffen
• Born: 21 February 1943
• Age: 82 years old
• Birthplace: Borough Park, New York
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American film producer, record executive, and media proprietor
• Height: 6’0
• Parent: Batya Volovskaya and Abraham Geffen
• Siblings: 1, Mitchell Geffen
• Spouse: David Armstrong (2023-2025)
• Children: none
• Relationship: divorced
• Net Worth: $8.7 billion

Early Life And Education

David Geffen was a highly successful American businessman, film and music producer, and philanthropist. He was born on 21 February 1943 in Borough Park, New York, and was raised by his parents Batya Volovskaya and Abraham Geffen.

He grew up with one sibling, his brother Mitchell Geffen. Although he was born into a Jewish family, David followed the Christian faith.

After graduating from New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn in 1960, he attended the University of Texas at Austin and Brooklyn College but did not complete a degree. He also briefly attended Santa Monica College before dropping out to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Despite not having a college degree, David Geffen went on to become one of the most successful and influential figures in the entertainment world.

Career

David Geffen’s career is marked by significant achievements and influence across the music, film, and theater industries. Here’s a breakdown of his key career stages:

Early Career and Music Management:

• Geffen started his career in the entertainment industry in 1964 as a mailroom clerk at the William Morris Agency (WMA)
• He quickly worked his way up to become a talent agent at WMA, Ashley-Famous Agency, and Creative Management Associates
• By the late 1960s, he shifted to personal management and experienced early success with artists like Laura Nyro and the supergroup Crosby, Stills, and Nash

Asylum Records (1971):

• Geffen co-founded Asylum Records with Elliot Roberts after being unable to secure a record deal for Jackson Browne
• The label became a major player in the Southern California folk-rock scene, signing influential artists such as the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan, and Tom Waits

David Geffen had a diverse and successful career in the entertainment industry, spanning multiple decades and genres. He left Asylum in 1975, which was later acquired by Warner Communications. During this time, he briefly moved into the film industry and served as vice chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures.

After a hiatus and a misdiagnosis of cancer, Geffen returned to the music industry and founded Geffen Records in 1980. This label quickly achieved success with artists like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Elton John, and Guns N’ Roses.

In the 1990s, Geffen launched a subsidiary label, DGC Records, which focused on more progressive and alternative rock music. He also established Geffen Pictures, which produced films throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.

Geffen’s contributions to the entertainment industry have had a lasting impact and continue to influence the industry today.

David Geffen is a highly successful and influential figure in the entertainment industry. Through his company, The Geffen Film Company, he has produced a variety of successful films, launching the careers of actors such as Tom Cruise and producing critically acclaimed movies like Interview with the Vampire.

In 1994, he co-founded DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, creating the first major Hollywood studio in over 50 years. DreamWorks SKG has produced many award-winning and popular films, and in 2004, DreamWorks Animation spun off as a publicly traded company.

Geffen has also been involved in the Broadway and theater scene, producing acclaimed shows such as Cats and Dreamgirls.

Award and Nomination

Tony Awards:

Winner:

• 1983: Best Musical for Cats
• 1988: Best Play for M. Butterfly

Nomination:

• 1982: Best Play for ‘Master Harold’…and the Boys

Daytime Emmy Awards:

Winner:

• 1990: Outstanding Animated Program for Beetlejuice (as executive producer, shared with others)

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @davidgeffen

Personal Life

David Lawrence Geffen is a highly successful and influential figure in the American entertainment industry. However, his personal life has been the subject of much speculation and controversy.

In 1992, Geffen publicly acknowledged that he was gay, making him one of the few openly gay executives in Hollywood at the time. Despite facing discrimination and backlash for his sexuality, Geffen has remained a prominent and respected figure in the industry.

In May 2025, it was reported that Geffen had filed for divorce from his husband of just under two years, David Armstrong (also known as Donovan Michaels).

Despite this, Geffen has continued to be involved in various philanthropic activities, supporting medical research, AIDS organizations, and the arts. His most notable contribution was a $200 million donation to the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), which led to the renaming of its medical school to the David Geffen School of Medicine.

He has also made significant contributions to UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Filmography and Discography

Actor:

• The Explosive Generation (1961) as Student (uncredited)
• The Wishmakers of West Hollywood (2011)

Producer:

• Interview with the Vampire (1994)
• Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
• Newsround (role unspecified)

Executive Producer:

• Beetlejuice (1989-1991) (TV Series)
• Personal Best (1982)
• Journey Through the Past (1973)

Executive in Charge of Production:

• Oh, God! (1977) (uncredited)
• Greased Lightning (1977) (uncredited)
• The Late Show (1977) (uncredited)

As Himself (Documentaries and TV Appearances): He has appeared in numerous documentaries and television programs, often discussing the music and film industries and the artists he has worked with. These include:

• Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill (2022)
• Laurel Canyon (2020) (TV Series)
• The Black Godfather (2019)
• Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019)
• Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band (2019)
• Spielberg (2017)
• The Defiant Ones (2017) (TV Series)
• Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives (2017)
• Everything Is Copy – Nora Ephron: Scripted & Unscripted (2015)
• All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records (2015)
• History of the Eagles (2013) (TV Series)
• Inventing David Geffen (2012)
• Legends of the Canyon: The Music and Magic of 1960s Laurel Canyon
• Barbra Streisand: Putting it Together – The Making of “The Broadway Album” (1986)
• Commitment to Life (2023)
• Joni Mitchell – Le spleen et la colère (2022)
• Dark Side of Comedy (2022) (TV Series)
• Hollywood Insider (various episodes)
• Loving Neverland (2020)
• 20/20 (2020) (TV Series)
• L’antre du Mea (2019) (TV Series)
• Howard (archive footage)
• Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind
• Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album
• LennoNYC
• Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built
• Hotel California: LA from the Byrds to the Eagles

Net Worth

David Lawrence Geffen is a highly successful and influential figure in the American entertainment industry. He has an estimated net worth of $8.7 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world.

Geffen has had a significant impact on the music and film industry, having founded two record labels and a film studio. He is also known for his philanthropy, having donated millions of dollars to various causes and organizations.