Ellis Jacob

Ellis Jacob (born 1953) is a Canadian business executive who serves as the president and chief executive officer of Cineplex Entertainment.

Since 1987, he has been involved in the movie theatre industry. He was the founder of Galaxy Entertainment Inc. in 1999 and has been the president and CEO of Cineplex Galaxy since November 2003. Under his leadership, he opened several movie theatres along with the expansion of arcades, restaurants and e-sports.

Early life Jacob was born in 1953 in Calcutta, West Bengal, to Syrian-Iraqi Jewish parents, Raymond and Tryphosa. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 1969 to attend his sister's wedding and remained there since.

Career Early years His first career as a businessperson began at Ford Motor Company of Canada and Motorola.

Cineplex Odeon Corporation Ellis Jacob's entry into the film exhibition business took place in October 1987 when he joined Cineplex Odeon Corporation as its chief financial officer. Shortly in October 1999, Jacob and Gerry Schwartz (CEO of Onex Corporation) founded Galaxy Cinemas with their mission to build 20 theatres in small and medium-sized cities across Canada.

On November 26, 2003, Jacob became the CEO of the newly merged Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund which consisted of Galaxy Cinemas and the Canadian assets of the restructured Loews Cineplex which brought the chains to 86. In June 2005, Cineplex Galaxy acquired Famous Players from National Amusements, under Jacob's watch, doubled its size.

Since the 2010s, Jacob began expanding several concepts beyond movie theatres such as the launch of The Rec Room and foraying into eSports and Digital Media.

After almost 40 years, it was announced on June 27, 2025 that Jacob will retire from all of his positions at Cineplex effective December 31, 2026.

Personal life Jacob is married to Sharyn, with whom he has 2 daughters named Lauren and Resa. Member of Order of Ontario (2020) Board of Directors Tribute Award, 13th Canadian Screen Awards (2025)