Sherry Lansing

Sherry Lansing (born Sherry Lee Duhl; July 31, 1944) is an American former film studio executive serving as chairwoman of Universal Music Group's board of directors and as a director on the board of Paramount Skydance Corporation. She previously served as chairwoman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and president of production at 20th Century Fox before retiring. From 1999 to 2022, she was on the University of California Board of Regents.

In 2005, she became the first female film studio head to place hand and footprints at the Grauman's Chinese Theater. In 2001, she was named one of the 30 most powerful women in the US by Ladies' Home Journal, and The Hollywood Reporter named her number 1 on its Power 100 list numerous times.

Early life and education Lansing was born Sherry Lee Duhl in Chicago, Illinois, to Margaret Heimann and real estate investor David Duhl. Her mother fled from Nazi Germany in 1937, at the age of 17. Her close-knit, well-to-do family is of German-Jewish descent.

Lansing attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and graduated in 1962. In 1966, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Northwestern University and graduated cum laude. She was a member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Lansing also appeared in several television shows and documentaries about films, and the actors, and actresses, starring in them. Dissatisfied with her own acting skills, she decided to learn more about the film industry from the ground up.

Production Lansing took a job with MGM as head script reader. She then became VP of Production at Columbia Pictures and oversaw two highly successful films, The China Syndrome and Kramer vs. Kramer, both released in 1979. Her work at Columbia Pictures eventually led to an appointment with 20th Century Fox in 1980, at age 35, as the first female production president of a major studio. She resigned in December 1982 and became a partner with Stanley R. Jaffe (with whom she shares a birthday) to form Jaffe-Lansing Productions based at Paramount Pictures.

Other Jaffe-Lansing productions include Black Rain (1989), starring Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, and Ken Takakura, as well as School Ties (1992), starring Brendan Fraser. On her own, Lansing produced the very successful Indecent Proposal (1993), starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson.

Chairman of Paramount In 1992, Lansing was offered the chairmanship of Paramount Pictures' Motion Picture Group.

Philanthropy In 2005, she created the Sherry Lansing Foundation, which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer research, K-12 public education, and encore career opportunities. She is a recipient of UCLA Anderson School of Management's highest honor-the Exemplary Leadership in Management (ELM) Award.

In 2007, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her work in cancer research at the 79th Academy Awards.

In 2011, Lansing pledged $5 million to University of Chicago Laboratory Schools to build a new arts wing, including a 250-seat performance venue.

In March 2020, she hosted a fundraiser for Joe Biden at her home. In 2025, organized a fundraiser for Susan Collins, the Republican Senator from Maine.

Personal life Lansing married fellow student Michael Brownstein in 1967 while attending Northwestern University. They divorced in 1970. She was married to director William Friedkin from 1991 until his death in 2023.

Lansing and former MGM studio head James T. Aubrey were struck by a car while crossing Wilshire Boulevard in 1978. Both were badly hurt, and Lansing had to use crutches for a year and a half.

Lansing signed an open letter in September 2025 rejecting the Film Workers for Palestine boycott of the Israeli Film Industry as "discriminatory and antisemitic".

Filmography

Producer Firstborn (1984) When the Time Comes (1987) (TV) Fatal Attraction (1987) The Accused (1988) Black Rain (1989) School Ties (1992) Indecent Proposal (1993)

Actress or herself The Good Guys (1968) (TV) Loving (1970) Rio Lobo (1970) Dan August (1971) (TV) Ironside (1971) (TV) Hollywood Women (1993) (TV) Frasier (1996) (TV) The Directors (1999) (TV) Sunday Morning Shootout (2004) (TV) Black Rain: Post-Production (2006) Black Rain: Making the Film – Part 2 (2006) Black Rain: The Script, the Cast (2006) Black Rain: Making the Film – Part 1 (2006) Coming Attractions: The History of the Movie Trailer (2006) Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters (2006)Herself ... A Father... A Son... Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2005) (TV) The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV) The Jewish Americans (2008) (TV) The Brothers Warner (2008) Entertainment Tonight (2008)

Awards and recognition 2017: National Women's Hall of Fame Inductee 2008: CSHL Double Helix Medal Honoree 2007, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, presented by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 2007, Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Pennsylvania State University 2006, American Association for Cancer Research Public Service Award 2005, Big Brothers Big Sisters (L.A.) Legacy Award 2005, Exemplary Leadership in Management Award presented by UCLA Anderson School of Management 2005, hand and foot prints at Grauman's Chinese Theater 2004, Horatio Alger Humanitarian Award 2003, Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship 1996, YWCA Silver Achievement Award 1996, Star on the walk of fame, presented by Hollywood Walk of Fame 1994, Outstanding Alumna Award presented by Sigma Delta Tau (ΣΔΤ) Sorority 1994, Razzie for Indecent Proposal, presented by Razzie Awards 1993, Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement 1992, Simon Wiesenthal Center Distinguished Service Award for the Performing Arts 1980, Economic Equity Award from the Women's Equity Action League