David V. Picker

David Victor Picker (May 14, 1931 – April 20, 2019) was an American motion picture executive and producer, working in the film industry for more than forty years. He served as president and chief executive officer for United Artists, Paramount, Lorimar, and Columbia Pictures before becoming an independent producer. Picker was a member of the Writers Guild of America East, a member the Producers Guild of America, and he was Chairman Emeritus of the Producers Guild of America East. Picker's memoir about his career in the film industry, Musts, Maybes and Nevers, was released in 2013.

Early life Picker was born to a Jewish family on May 14, 1931, in New York City. He was the son of Sylvia (Moses) and Eugene Picker, a one-time president of Loews Theatres and president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, executive of Trans-Lux and vice-president of United Artists.

Film career 1950s–1969 Picker began his movie career at United Artists in 1956, working in advertising and publicity. By 1961 he was an assistant to Arthur Krim, the president. Picker helped bring Tom Jones to United Artists in 1963. The film received four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Tony Richardson. In 1964, Picker accepted the award on behalf of Tony Richardson, who was not in attendance. By the late 1960s, Picker was managing United Artists Records. Picker also established the company's lasting relationship with writer and director Woody Allen, in addition to European filmmakers Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, François Truffaut, Louis Malle, and Sergio Leone.

1973–1993 In 1973, Picker left United Artists to form his own production company, Two Roads Productions, However, his next picture, Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood, became a notorious flop.

In 1976, Picker became President of Motion Pictures at Paramount, but served for only a few years, Hired in 1986 by Columbia Pictures to serve as president of production, Picker greenlit Hope and Glory, School Daze, Vice Versa, Punchline, and True Believer. In 1987, Picker left Columbia after Chairman & CEO David Puttnam exited the company and Dawn Steel joined it. He revived Two Roads Productions with a non-exclusive production agreement with Columbia. His next film, a remake of Stella Dallas called Stella, starred Bette Midler.

1993 to 2000s Picker produced The Saint of Fort Washington for Warner Bros. in 1993, and The Crucible for Twentieth Century Fox in 1996.

From 2004 to 2008, Picker served as chairman of The Producers Guild of America for the East. Picker's memoir about his career in the film industry, Musts, Maybes and Nevers, was released in 2013. In 1995 Picker married photographer Sandra Jetton, who survived him. They lived in New York City.

Picker's sister is Jean Picker Firstenberg, past CEO and Director of the American Film Institute. His uncle, Arnold Picker, was also an executive vice-president at United Artists. He was survived by his wife, Sandra, his two daughters and his sister.

Selected filmography He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film Year Film Credit Notes 1974 Juggernaut Executive producer Lenny Executive producer 1975 Smile Executive producer Royal Flash 1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood 1978 The One and Only Oliver's Story 1979 Bloodline The Jerk 1982 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid 1983 The Man with Two Brains 1984 Beat Street The Goodbye People 1987 Leader of the Band 1990 Stella Executive producer 1991 Livin' Large! 1992 Traces of Red Leap of Faith 1993 The Saint of Fort Washington 1996 The Crucible Final film as a producer

Thanks

Year Film Role 1975 Lisztomania Very special thanks 1980 Rascal Dazzle Special thanks

Television Year Title Credit Notes 1998 The Temptations Executive producer Television film Rear Window Executive producer Television film 1999 P. T. Barnum Executive producer Television film Journey to the Center of the Earth Executive producer Aftershock: Earthquake in New York Executive producer Television film 2000 Back to the Secret Garden Executive producer Television film In the Beginning Executive producer Television film David Copperfield Executive producer Television film 2002 Fidel Executive producer Television film 2003 Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale Executive producer Television film

Miscellaneous crew

Year Title Role 1996 Arliss Consultant