Michael J. Fuchs
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Fuchs (born New York City
, U.S.
, 9 March 1946) is
an American
executive producer
for premium cable
television network
HBO.
Fuchs is the son of Charles Fuchs a Real Estate Executive. He was educated at Union College
in Schenectady
, New York
, where he obtained a BA in political science
in 1967, and a law degree at New York University
in law
in 1971.
After gaining experience in entertainment law, Fuchs joined HBO and became active in sports TV production. Fuchs held various senior positions by the early 1980s and was chief executive officer and chairman of the board in 1984.
Then in May 1995 he became vice president of Time Warner
and then chairman and CEO of the Warner Music Group
. However due to his extensive changes during his position as chairman which saw the dismissal of several important executives at the company, he was sacked by Time Warner chairman Gerald Levin, leaving the company with a reported US$60 million "golden parachute
",.
Fuchs has produced many concerts for HBO featuring such performers as Diana Ross
and
Johnny Cash
and he is highly active in C-Span
(the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network) and Comedy Central
, which is an advertiser-supported network jointly owned by HBO and MTV
.
Fuchs is also Chairman of the Bryant Park
Corporation and is credited for being the inventor of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Movie Festival, one of New York's most popular free Summer events.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 9 March 1946) is
an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
for premium cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
HBO.
Career
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he obtained a BA in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1967, and a law degree at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
in 1971.
After gaining experience in entertainment law, Fuchs joined HBO and became active in sports TV production. Fuchs held various senior positions by the early 1980s and was chief executive officer and chairman of the board in 1984.
Then in May 1995 he became vice president of Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
and then chairman and CEO of the Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. However due to his extensive changes during his position as chairman which saw the dismissal of several important executives at the company, he was sacked by Time Warner chairman Gerald Levin, leaving the company with a reported US$60 million "golden parachute
Golden parachute
A golden parachute is an agreement between a company and an employee specifying that the employee will receive certain significant benefits if employment is terminated. Sometimes, certain conditions, typically a change in company ownership, must be met, but often the cause of termination is...
",.
Fuchs has produced many concerts for HBO featuring such performers as Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
and
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
and he is highly active in C-Span
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
(the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network) and Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
, which is an advertiser-supported network jointly owned by HBO and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.
Fuchs is also Chairman of the Bryant Park
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a 9.603 acre privately managed public park located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan...
Corporation and is credited for being the inventor of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Movie Festival, one of New York's most popular free Summer events.
Awards
- CableACE Governor's Award 1993 *CableAce Award Dramatic or Theatrical Special "In the Gloaming" 1997
Career Timeline
- 1964-1967 - Studied at Union CollegeUnion CollegeUnion College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, SchenectadySchenectady, New YorkSchenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
gaining a BA in political sciencePolitical sciencePolitical Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1967 - 1971 - Qualified as a lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
from New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan... - 1971 - 1974 - Worked in entertainment law as an associate with the firm of Marshall, Bratter, Greene, Allison and Tucker in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
- 1974 - Employed for 18 months at the New York office of the William Morris Agency as director of business affairs
- 1975 - Worked in a similar capacity at the firm of Bomser and Oppenheim
- 1976 - Joined Home Box Office (HBO) Inc. as director of special programming
- 1977-1979
- Served as vice president for specials and sports, HBO
- Acted as vice president, programming, HBO
- Worked as president and chief operating officer of HBO
- Served as an executive vice president of Time, Inc.
- 1980 - Promoted to senior vice president, programming, HBO
- 1982 - Became executive vice president, programming, HBO
- 1983 - Appointed president of the HBO Entertainment Group
- 1983 - Named director of the executive committee for Tri-Star Pictures
- 1984 - Received additional titles of chairman of the board and chief executive officer of HBO Inc. in October
- 1995 - Named chairman and CEO of Warner Music GroupWarner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
in May - 1995 - Resigned (under pressure) from Time WarnerTime WarnerTime Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
- 1996 - Invested in Internet car-buying site, Auto-By-Tel
- 1999 - Served as one of four executive producers of the HBO movie "A Lesson Before Dying"