Alan Hirschfield

Alan James Hirschfield (October 10, 1935 – January 15, 2015) was an American film studio executive and philanthropist. Hirschfield served as the CEO of Columbia Pictures from 1973 to 1978 and the chairman of 20th Century Fox from 1982 until 1986.[1][2][3] Outside of the film industry, Hirschfield helped Clive Davis establish Arista Records in the 1970s.[1][2]

Hirschfield was born in New York on October 10, 1935, to Norman and Betty Hirschfield.[3] The family moved to Oklahoma City when he was 3-years old, where his father worked for Allen & Company's natural gas operations.[3] Alan Hirschfield received a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree from Harvard Business School.[3]

He became CEO of Columbia Pictures, serving in that position from 1973 to 1978. In 1978, Hirschfield was forced out of Columbia Pictures for his refusal to reinstate David Begelman, a studio executive who had embezzled $61,000 from Columbia, citing moral grounds.[1][2] Hirschfield later became chairman of 20th Century Fox from 1982 to 1986.[2]

The Begelman embezzlement and its aftermath were the subject of the best-selling 1982 non-fiction book "Indecent Exposure" by David McClintick.

From 1990 to 1992, Alan Hirschfield served as a co-CEO and investment banker for the former Financial News Network. He was also the co-CEO of the Data Broadcasting Corp from 1992 to 2000.[1]

Alan Hirschfield died from natural causes at his home in Wilson, Wyoming, on January 15, 2015, at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife, Berte Hirschfield, three children, and six grandchildren.[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Stedman, Alex (2015-01-16). "Alan Hirschfield, Former Columbia Chief Exec, Dies at 79". Variety. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Alan Hirschfield, Former Chief Exec of Columbia, Dies at 79". The Hollywood Reporter. 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cieply, Michael (2015-01-21). "Alan J. Hirschfield, Who Led Film Studio Through Financial Scandal, Dies at 79". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-02-08.