Editing David Geffen

{{Short description|American media proprietor (born 1943)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = David Geffen
| image              = David Geffen.jpg
| caption            = Geffen in 1973
| education          = [[Santa Monica College]] (no degree)
| birth_name         = David Lawrence Geffen
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1943|02|21}}
| birth_place        = New York City, U.S.
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| occupation         = {{hlist|Entrepreneur|record executive|film producer|media proprietor}}
| title              = Founder of 
{{plainlist|
* [[DreamWorks SKG]]
* [[DreamWorks Records]]
* [[Asylum Records]]
* [[Geffen Records]]
* [[The Geffen Film Company|Geffen Pictures]]
* [[DGC Records]]}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|Donovan Michaels|2023|2025|reason=divorced}}
| relatives          = 
}}

'''David Lawrence Geffen''' (born February 21, 1943)<ref>Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 12, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref> is an American film producer, record executive, and [[media proprietor]]. In music, he co-founded [[Asylum Records]] with [[Elliot Roberts]] in 1971 before founding [[Geffen Records]] in 1980, [[DGC Records]] in 1990, and co-founding [[DreamWorks Records]] (with [[Mo Ostin]], Michael Ostin and [[Lenny Waronker]]) in 1996. In film, he founded [[the Geffen Film Company]] in 1982 and co-founded [[DreamWorks SKG]] (with [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]]) in 1994.

== Early life and education ==
David Geffen was born in [[Borough Park, Brooklyn]], New York, to Abraham Geffen and Batya Volovskaya (1909–1988).<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNamara |first=Tom |date=2012-11-01 |title=Inventing David Geffen ~ Timeline: Year by Year, how David Geffen Invented Himself {{!}} American Masters {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/david-geffen-timeline-year-by-year-how-david-geffen-invented-himself/2358/ |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=American Masters |language=en-US}}</ref> Geffen's mother owned a clothing store in Borough Park called Chic Corsets by Geffen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/25/David-Geffen.html |title=David Geffen Biography (1943-) |publisher=Film Reference |access-date=2014-06-29}}</ref> Both of his parents were [[Jewish]] immigrants who met in [[Mandatory Palestine]] and then moved to the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pfefferman |first=Naomi |date=July 23, 2012 |title=David Geffen: prickly and terse about his Judaism |url=https://jewishjournal.com/mobile_20111212/106401/ |access-date= |work=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]]}}</ref> His older brother Mitchell (born Mischa) Geffen (1933–2006) was an attorney who attended [[UCLA]] Law School and later settled in [[Encino, California]].<ref>See generally Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 31, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref>

Geffen graduated from Brooklyn's [[New Utrecht High School]] in 1960 with a "barely passing 66 average". He attended the [[University of Texas at Austin]] for a semester, and then [[Brooklyn College]], before again dropping out. He then moved to [[Los Angeles, California]] to find his way in the entertainment business.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Bernard |last=Weinraub |date=May 2, 1993 |title=David Geffen, Still Hungry |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/02/magazine/david-geffen-still-hungry.html |access-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref> He attended [[Santa Monica College]] (then known as Santa Monica City College) in [[Santa Monica, California]], but soon left. Geffen attributed his challenges in school to [[dyslexia]].<ref name="About: Inventing David Geffen">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/david-geffen-about-inventing-david-geffen/2146/|title=Inventing David Geffen ~ About the Film {{!}} American Masters {{!}} PBS|date=November 7, 2012|website=Pbs.org|access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>

== Business career ==
After a brief appearance as an extra in the 1961 film ''[[The Explosive Generation]]'', Geffen began his entertainment career in 1964 as a mailroom clerk at the [[William Morris Agency]] (WMA), where he quickly became a [[talent agent]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Newsource|first=C. N. N.|date=2021-02-07|title=David Geffen Fast Facts|url=https://abc17news.com/news/national-world/2021/02/07/david-geffen-fast-facts/|access-date=2021-02-09|website=ABC17NEWS|language=en-US}}</ref> He learned about showbiz politics while reading the memos he delivered between agents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oswald |first=Brad |date=2012-11-15 |title=Nov 2012: Opinion: David Geffen says he doesn't dwell on his accomplishments |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/tv/2012/11/15/career-what-career |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Winnipeg Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref> In order to obtain the talent agent job, he had to prove he was a college graduate. As he later reported in an interview, he claimed in his job application at WMA that he had graduated from the [[University of California at Los Angeles]] (UCLA). Because he worked in the mailroom, Geffen was able to intercept a letter from UCLA to WMA which stated that he had not graduated from UCLA. He modified the letter to show that he had attended and graduated, then submitted it to WMA.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Trott|first1=Dave|title=One + One = Three|date=2015|publisher=Macmillan|location=London, England|isbn=978-1-4472-8703-2|page=10 |edition=First|url=https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/dave-trott/one-plus-one-equals-three|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref> His colleagues in the mailroom included [[Elliot Roberts]], who later became Geffen's partner at [[Asylum Records]].

In 1968, Geffen left WMA and became a talent agent for [[Ashley-Famous Agency]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Duka |first=John |date=1982-10-03 |title=THE EGO AND THE ART OF DAVID GEFFEN |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/03/business/the-ego-and-the-art-of-david-geffen.html |access-date=2023-10-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1969, he was executive vice president and talent agent for [[Creative Management Associates]].<ref name=":1" /> At this time he also started working as a personal manager and was immediately successful with [[Laura Nyro]] and [[Crosby, Stills and Nash]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/sex-drugs-and-the-billiondollar-rise-of-david-geffen-5384737.html|title=Sex, drugs and the billion-dollar rise of David Geffen|date=2005-11-18|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

When Geffen was engaged in the process of looking for a record deal for young [[Jackson Browne]], [[Atlantic Records]] founder [[Ahmet Ertegun]] suggested that Geffen start his own record label.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Weiner|first=Tim|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/14/arts/music/14cnd-ertegun.html|title=Ahmet Ertegun, Founder of Atlantic Records, Dies|date=2006-12-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-14|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Asylum Records ===
Geffen co-founded Asylum Records in 1971 with [[Elliot Roberts]] after Geffen was unable to get [[Jackson Browne]] a record deal anywhere else. The name Asylum was chosen because of the owners' reputations for signing artists who would struggle to find a record company that would contract with them. The label was distributed by Atlantic Records at this time. Asylum became a generator of the Southern California folk-rock sound and signed artists such as [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Tom Waits]], [[Linda Ronstadt]], [[Warren Zevon]], [[Judee Sill]], and [[JD Souther]]. Later in the 1970s Geffen left Asylum, which was later acquired by Atlantic's parent company, [[Warner Communications]], and merged with [[Elektra Records]] in 1982 to become Elektra/Asylum Records. The label was revived in 2004 as an urban music operation, signing hip-hop artists such as [[Waka Flocka Flame]], [[Cam’ron]], [[Gucci Mane]], [[Paul Wall]], [[Mike Jones (rapper)|Mike Jones]] and [[Bun B]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/warner-music-group-to-relaunch-asylum-label-founded-by-david-geffen-1202603122/|title=Warner Music Group to Relaunch Asylum, Label Founded by David Geffen|first=Jem|last=Aswad|website=Variety|date=October 31, 2017|access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>

Geffen remained in charge until December 1975, when he went to work as vice chairman of [[Warner Bros.]] film studios.<ref>Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', pp. 261-262, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref> He then retired and in 1977 was informed (erroneously) that he had cancer.<ref>Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 282, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref> During his retirement period he spent a short time (the fall of 1978 and spring of 1979) teaching a noncredit seminar on the music industry and arts management at [[Yale University]], where he featured classroom guests Jackson Browne and [[Paul Simon]].<ref>Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 294, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref> In 1980 a new medical diagnosis revealed the error in the original diagnosis<ref>Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', pp. 296-297, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref> and Geffen was given a clean bill of health, whereupon he decided to return to working in the entertainment industry.

=== Geffen Records ===
In 1980, he founded [[Geffen Records|his eponymous record label]] and recruited [[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]] executive Ed Rosenblatt as president. The Geffen label's meteoric rise to prominence within the year proved a bittersweet success. Geffen's first artist to sign on was [[Donna Summer]], who was anxious to leave [[Casablanca Records|Casablanca]]/[[PolyGram|PolyGram Records]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donna-summer-death-barbra-streisand-duet-enough-is-enough-326744|title=How Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand's Famous Duet 'Enough Is Enough' Came Together|author= Degen Pener|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 18, 2012}}</ref> Geffen shortly after released her ''[[The Wanderer (Donna Summer album)|The Wanderer]]'' album, the lead single of which reached No. 3 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], and the album certified gold. Casablanca countered by releasing more singles off her 1979 ''[[Bad Girls (Donna Summer album)|Bad Girls]]'' album such as the song [[Walk Away (Donna Summer song)|Walk Away]] and a similarly named hits compilation to compete, but by then [[new wave music|New Wave]] sound was dominating the airwaves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/cb922cbf-49fe-4853-9e21-f61e9822a5d1|title=How New Order invented the 1980s - BBC Music|date=2015-09-11|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

The November 1980 release of [[John Lennon]]'s album ''[[Double Fantasy]]'' seems an impressive feat for a new label, but at the time Lennon stated that Geffen was the only one with enough confidence in him to agree to a deal without hearing the record first. [[Yoko Ono]], Lennon's wife and partner, stated that Geffen was the only label head to pay attention to her. In December 1980, Lennon was [[Death of John Lennon|murdered]] and ''Double Fantasy'' became a massive seller. Over the years Geffen Records/DGC has released recordings by artists including [[Olivia Newton-John]], [[Asia (band)|Asia]], [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]], [[Elton John]], [[Cher]], [[Sonic Youth]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Whitesnake]], [[XTC]], [[Peter Gabriel]], [[Weezer]], [[Lone Justice]], [[Blink-182]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[the Simpsons]], [[Lifehouse (band)|Lifehouse]], [[Tyketto]], [[Pat Metheny]], [[Sloan (band)|Sloan]], [[the Stone Roses]] and [[Neil Young]].

The label had been distributed by Warner Bros. Records since its inception, but in 1990 the label was sold to [[MCA Records]] with Geffen receiving shares in MCA worth $550 million.<ref name=mca>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|date=January 12, 1995|page=16|edition=61st anniversary|title=David Geffen}}</ref> A year later, [[Panasonic Corporation|Matsushita Electric]] acquired MCA and paid Geffen $670 million.<ref name=mca/> Geffen continued to run the label before leaving Geffen Records in 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/david-geffen|title=David Geffen Biography &#124; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum|publisher=Rockhall.com|access-date=2014-06-29}}</ref> In late 1996 after being sold to [[Seagram]], MCA reincorporated into its subsidiary name, [[Universal Studios, Inc.]], while MCA Music Entertainment was renamed [[Universal Music Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Busch |first=Anita M. |date=1996-12-10 |title=A whole new U for MCA |url=https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/a-whole-new-u-for-mca-1117466464/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009012308/https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/a-whole-new-u-for-mca-1117466464/ |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The Geffen label was restructured under the recently renamed company. On December 10, 1998, Seagram acquired PolyGram for $10.6 billion; the latter's music division was merged into UMG, thus, on New Year's Day 1999, Geffen Records was merged with its sister label, [[Interscope Records]], and PolyGram subsidiary, [[A&M Records]], to become [[Interscope Geffen A&M Records]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-08-ca-41565-story.html|title=The Seagram Acquisition, a Year Later|author=Geoff Boucher |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 8, 1999}}</ref> Its division, DGC Records, would be absorbed into Geffen soon after, but Beck and Sonic Youth did not fulfill their contracts with the sublabel until 2003. After years of low sales and profits, Geffen laid off or vacated 110 workers,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hilburn |first1=Robert |last2=Boucher |first2=Geoff |last3=Philips |first3=Chuck |date=1999-01-22 |title=A & M Records Closes; Geffen Lays Off 110 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-22-mn-524-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002120737/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-22-mn-524-story.html |archive-date=2023-10-02 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> but later recovered under Interscope's supervision, which at the time, was under leadership of [[Jimmy Iovine]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2024|reason=Needs reliable sources that are not deprecated by Wikipedia.}} In 2003, Universal dissolved MCA Records and [[DreamWorks Records]]; MCA president [[Jay Boberg]] had resigned the prior spring while UMG (in October) acquired the latter label from Geffen's film label, [[DreamWorks Pictures]], with rosters from both labels transitioning to Geffen Records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oppelaar |first=Justin |date=2003-06-10 |title=MCA gets relabeled |url=https://variety.com/2003/music/markets-festivals/mca-gets-relabeled-1117887639/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009013459/https://variety.com/2003/music/markets-festivals/mca-gets-relabeled-1117887639/ |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DREAMWORKS TO UMG—UPDATE |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=277596&title=DREAMWORKS-TO-UMG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009014415/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=277596&title=DREAMWORKS-TO-UMG |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=HITS Daily Double |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UMG buys DreamWorks Records |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/11/12/umg-buys-dreamworks-records/28774491007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009014701/https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/11/12/umg-buys-dreamworks-records/28774491007/ |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> The acquisitions and later dissolutions of both imprints caused 120 staff layoffs, while some remained under Geffen; few went to work for its parent, Interscope.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2003-06-10 |title=MCA Cuts Precede Expected Geffen Merger |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mca-cuts-precede-expected-geffen-merger-70662/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009015524/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mca-cuts-precede-expected-geffen-merger-70662/ |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2024-10-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2024, Universal Music Group reorganized Geffen Records and its parent label, Interscope Records, through a unit merger with sister label, [[Capitol Records]] (which they acquired from now-defunct [[EMI]] in 2012).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-09-28 |title=Universal Music completes acquisition of EMI Music |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-completes-acquisition-of-emi-music/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Szalai |first=Georg |date=2012-09-28 |title=Universal Music Completes $1.9 Billion EMI Recorded Music Acquisition |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/universal-music-completes-19-billion-374965/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> As a result, in today's time, Geffen, Interscope and Capitol now operate autonomously under a newly built music label unit, Interscope Capitol Labels Group.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2024-03-07 |title=John Janick Unveils Newly Restructured Interscope Capitol Labels Group |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/interscope-capitol-labels-group-announced-leadership-1235626266/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=Interscope Geffen A&M and Capitol Music Group are now officially consolidated under the 'Interscope Capitol Labels Group'; Steve Berman and Annie Lee both promoted to new roles |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/interscope-geffen-am-and-capitol-music-group-are-now-officially-consolidated-under-the-interscope-capitol-labels-group-steve-berman-and-annie-lee-both-promoted-to-new-roles/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>

Despite the fact that Geffen founded and owned Geffen Records, former president Eddie Rosenblatt, who died on July 17, 2024 (aged 89), was acknowledged to have been the one who led Geffen Records during its glory years in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/eddie-rosenblatt-dies-geffen-records-president-during-guns-nroses-nirvana-era-was-89-1236013459/|title=Eddie Rosenblatt Dies: Geffen Records President During Guns N' Roses, Nirvana Era Was 89|first=Bruce|last=Haring|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 17, 2024|accessdate=July 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/eddie-rosenblatt-geffen-records-president-dead-1236075556/|title=Eddie Rosenblatt, Longtime Geffen Records President, Dies at 89|first=Jem|last=Aswad|publisher=Variety|date=July 17, 2024|accessdate=July 17, 2024}}</ref>

=== Geffen Film/DreamWorks SKG ===
Through the [[The Geffen Film Company|Geffen Film Company]], Geffen produced dark-tinged comedies such as the remake of ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (1986 film)|Little Shop of Horrors]]'' (1986), ''[[Risky Business]]'' (1983) and ''[[Beetlejuice]]'' (1988). Geffen was the Broadway backer for the musicals ''[[Dreamgirls (musical)|Dreamgirls]]'' and ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]''. In 1994, Geffen co-founded the [[DreamWorks SKG]] studio with [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]]. In 1995, DreamWorks signed a $100 million deal with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref name=":1" /> In 2008, Geffen left DreamWorks.<ref>Michael Cieply, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/business/media/27dream.html "David Geffen, Savior of Dream Works, Makes a Sudden Exit,"] Oct. 27, 2008, ''The New York Times''.</ref>

== Philanthropy ==
[[File:David Geffen Hall (48047408511).jpg|thumb|alt=Exterior of David Geffen Hall|[[David Geffen Hall]] as seen from Lincoln Center Plaza]]
In 1995, he donated $5 million towards [[UCLA]]'s Westwood Playhouse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shirley |first=Don |date=1995-04-21 |title=Geffen Gives $5 Million to UCLA Stage : Theater: His unusual donation to the Westwood Playhouse is unrestricted. The 498-seat, nonprofit venue will be renamed the Geffen Playhouse. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-04-21-ca-57298-story.html |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The theater was renamed the [[Geffen Playhouse]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Geffen-Playhouse-Raises-More-Than-13-Million-At-Annual-Backstage-Fundraiser-20190521|title=Geffen Playhouse Raises More Than $1.3 Million At Annual Backstage Fundraiser|first=Stephi|last=Wild|website=Broadway World|access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>

According to ''[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]'' ("The 400 Richest Americans of 2004") and other sources, Geffen has pledged to give whatever money he makes from now on to charity, although he has not specified which charities or the manner of his giving. In 2002, he announced a $200&nbsp;million unrestricted endowment for the School of Medicine at UCLA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feiwell |first=Jill |date=2002-05-08 |title=Geffen gives UCLA $200 mil |url=https://variety.com/2002/biz/news/geffen-gives-ucla-200-mil-1117866561/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The School thereafter was named [[David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA]]. On December 13, 2012, UCLA announced that Geffen had donated another $100 million in addition to his 2002 donation of $200 million, making him the largest individual benefactor for the [[UC system]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/david-geffen-scholarship_n_2301741.html|title=David Geffen Donates $100 Million For Scholarships To UCLA Medical School|first=Tyler|last=Kingkade|date=December 14, 2012|via=Huff Post}}</ref> The latest donation funds the full cost of attendance for up to 30 students per year, beginning with the Class of 2017.

In 2015, Geffen pledged $100 million toward renovation of what was then called the Avery Fisher Hall, part of [[Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts]] in New York.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/david-geffen-100-million-ucla-academy-1201638711/|title=David Geffen Gives $100 Million for Academy at UCLA|first=Dave|last=McNary|website=Variety|date=November 12, 2015|access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> His gift, which amounted to about 20% of the hall's renovation costs, gave him naming rights in perpetuity over the building, now known as [[David Geffen Hall]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/avery-fisher-hall-be-renamed-david-geffen-hall/ | title=Avery Fisher Hall to Be Renamed David Geffen Hall | first=Brian | last=Wise | publisher=WQXR | date=March 4, 2015 | access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref>

In December 2020, Geffen pledged to donate $46 million to the [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] [[David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA|medical school]], which is named after him.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stoller|first=Kristin|title=Billionaire DreamWorks Cofounder David Geffen Donates $46 Million To UCLA Medical School|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinstoller/2019/12/03/billionaire-dreamworks-cofounder-david-geffen-donates-46-million-to-ucla-medical-school/|access-date=2020-10-09|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

In June 2021, Geffen gave $150 million to the [[David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University|Yale School of Drama]]. This gift allowed the drama school to eliminate tuition for all students enrolled in master's, doctoral, and certificate programs. The school was renamed the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Paulson|first=Michael|date=2021-06-30|title=Yale Drama Goes Tuition-Free With $150 Million Gift From David Geffen|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/theater/yale-drama-david-geffen-tuition.html|access-date=2021-06-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In September 2021, [[Columbia Business School]] announced that David Geffen had made a gift of $75 million to support the school's new facilities in the [[Manhattanville, Manhattan|Manhattanville]] neighborhood, north of Columbia's main campus. In recognition of his donation, the East Building will be renamed David Geffen Hall when opened in 2022.<ref>{{Cite press release|publisher=Columbia Business School |date=2021-09-20 |title=David Geffen Joins Henry R. Kravis in Support of Columbia Business School |url=https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/newsroom/newsn/11864/david-geffen-joins-henry-r-kravis-in-support-of-columbia-business-school |access-date=2022-04-30 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbia Business School's New Manhattanville Campus |url=https://giving.columbia.edu/columbia-business-schools-new-manhattanville-campus |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=giving.columbia.edu |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
=== Sexuality ===
Geffen was initially defensive about his sexuality. During the 1970s he dated [[Cher]] and spent 18 months in a relationship with her. They began their relationship in 1973, while Cher was still married to [[Sonny Bono]], but their marriage was already ending. Geffen helped Cher gain independence in her career, since she was dependent on Sonny for some business contracts that Geffen would later call "slave labor." In early 1974, Cher's divorce became public and was heavily covered by the media, and it was at this time that Cher and Geffen made their first appearance together, at the [[Grammy Awards]] ceremony. It was from this moment that Geffen became a media celebrity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Higgins |first=Bill |date=2012-02-11 |title=How David Geffen Romanced Cher and Built a Music Empire |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/grammys-cher-david-geffen-289539/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-18 |title=I (Don't) Got You Babe: The End of Sonny and Cher |url=https://blankonblank.org/2016/05/sonny-and-cher-short-history/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Blank on Blank |language=en-US}}</ref> Eventually, Cher left him for [[Gregg Allman]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baumgold |first=Julie |date=August 12, 2021 |title=The Esquire Story That Drove David Geffen Crazy |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a37281568/david-geffen-cher-esquire-story-interview/ |access-date=April 18, 2022 |website=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Higgins |first=Bill |date=February 11, 2012 |title=How David Geffen Romanced Cher and Built a Music Empire |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/grammys-cher-david-geffen-289539/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Geffen eventually [[Coming out|came out]] as [[gay]] in 1992. In May 2007, ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' magazine ranked Geffen first in its list of the 50 "Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America".<ref name="outmagtop1003">{{Cite web |date=May 2007 |title=The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America |url=https://www.out.com/gay-news?id=22394 |access-date=January 15, 2009 |website=[[Out (magazine)|Out Magazine]]}}</ref> Geffen reportedly married 30-year-old former [[Go-go dancing|go-go dancer]] Donovan Michaels in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Marjorie |last2=Greer |first2=Carlos |date=2023-04-09 |title=David Geffen's 'husband' is a former go-go dancer with a murky past: ex-pals |url=https://nypost.com/2023/04/09/david-geffens-husband-is-a-former-go-go-dancer-with-a-murky-past-ex-pals/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>  In May 2025 it was reported that Geffen had filed for divorce and did not have a [[pre-nuptial agreement]] with Michaels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2025/05/17/entertainment/billionaire-david-geffen-82-files-for-divorce-without-prenup/ |title=Billionaire David Geffen, 82, files for divorce from go-go dancer husband, 32, without prenup |website=New York Post |date=2025-05-17 |accessdate=2025-05-20}}</ref>

=== Wealth ===
As of October 2023, Geffen has an estimated net worth of $9.1 billion, making him one of the [[List of celebrities by net worth|richest people in the entertainment industry]].<ref name="dav_net3">{{cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index: David Geffen |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/david-geffen/ |access-date=2023-10-03 |work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]}}</ref>

In February 2020, Geffen sold his [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]] estate to [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] CEO [[Jeff Bezos]] for $165 million, a price believed to be the highest ever paid for a home in a California real estate transaction.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katy McLaughlin and Katherine |date=2020-02-12 |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Jeff Bezos Buys David Geffen's Los Angeles Mansion for a Record $165 Million |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeff-bezos-buys-david-geffens-los-angeles-mansion-for-a-record-165-million-11581542020 |access-date=2021-02-09 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> In June 2020, Geffen purchased [[Casey Wasserman]]'s Beverly Hills estate for $68 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leitereg |first=Neal |date=June 9, 2020 |title=David Geffen completes $68-million deal for Wasserman estate in Beverly Hills |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-06-09/david-geffen-completes-68-million-deal-for-wasserman-estate-in-beverly-hills |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

In 2007, Geffen bought a half-share in friend [[Larry Ellison]]'s [[luxury yacht]] [[Rising Sun (yacht)|''Rising Sun'']], then at {{convert|138|m}} the sixth largest motor yacht in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffower |first=Hillary |date=July 28, 2019 |title=Jeff Bezos partied on billionaire David Geffen's $590 million superyacht in the Balearics — here's a look at the yacht, which has hosted everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Barack Obama |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/rising-sun-yacht-david-geffen-jeff-bezos-barack-obama-2019-8 |access-date=2020-02-14 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> After Ellison ordered a new and more compact {{convert|91|m}} yacht, he sold his remaining half share in ''Rising Sun'' to Geffen in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 25, 2010 |title=David Geffen Takes Possession Of "Rising Sun", World's Sixth Largest Yacht |url=http://boatworktimes.com/yacht-mainmenu-26/luxury/4439-david-geffen-takes-possession-of-qrising-sunq-worlds-sixth-largest-yacht.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206032409/http://boatworktimes.com/yacht-mainmenu-26/luxury/4439-david-geffen-takes-possession-of-qrising-sunq-worlds-sixth-largest-yacht.html |archive-date=December 6, 2011 |access-date=October 2, 2011 |publisher=boatworktimes.com |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2009, Russian billionaire [[Roman Abramovich]] agreed to a divorce settlement with his wife Irina that resulted in her taking ownership of the {{convert|115|m|adj=on}} yacht [[Pelorus (yacht)|''Pelorus'']]. Approached on Geffen's behalf by broker Merle Wood, Geffen bought ''Pelorus'' in 2011 for $300 million.<ref>{{cite web |author=David Pelly |title=Iconic yachts: Pelorus |url=https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/iconic-yachts-pelorus |access-date=2012-12-25 |publisher=boatinternational.com}}</ref><ref name="BizInsider">{{cite web |author=Jared Paul Stern |date=July 14, 2011 |title=David Geffen's New $300 Million Yacht Gets Upstaged By A Russian Businessman's Boat In Mallorca |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-07-14/lifestyle/30021324_1_pelorus-megayacht-fingerprint-scanner |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107074624/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-07-14/lifestyle/30021324_1_pelorus-megayacht-fingerprint-scanner |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |access-date=October 2, 2011 |publisher=businessinsider.com |df=mdy}}</ref> Later that year Geffen sold ''Pelorus'' to Sheikh [[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]] for €214 million, way below its former price.<ref>{{cite web |title=Superyacht Coral Island |url=https://www.superyachtfan.com/superyacht_coral_island.html |website=Superyachtfan.com}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Geffen drew backlash for posting on [[Instagram]] that he and a 45-member crew were self-isolating in the [[Grenadines]] on the ''Rising Sun''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Liz Flynn |title=A Closer Look at David Geffen's Yacht Rising Sun |url=https://moneyinc.com/david-geffens-yacht-rising-sun/ |access-date=28 March 2020 |work=Money Inc. |quote=45 crew members}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yachtfan |first=Peter |title=David Geffen &#124; Net Worth $ 9 billion {{!}} Rising Sun Yacht {{!}} Lurssen |url=https://www.superyachtfan.com/superyacht_rising_sun.html |access-date=April 17, 2020 |website=SuperYachtFan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Luscombe |first=Richard |date=March 28, 2020 |title=Billionaire David Geffen criticized for tone-deaf self-isolation post |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/28/billionaire-david-geffen-isolation-coronavirus |access-date=April 17, 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Abram |date=March 28, 2020 |title=Long Live David Geffen, Yachtmaster And New King Of Tone-Deaf Instagram Posts |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2020/03/28/long-live-david-geffen-yachtmaster---and-new-king-of-tone-deaf-instagram-posts/ |access-date=April 17, 2020 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

Geffen has been ranked the most polluting individual American and second most polluting individual in the world, largely due to his yachts.<ref name="theconversation.com">{{cite web |date=16 February 2021 |title=Private planes, mansions and superyachts: What gives billionaires like Musk and Abramovich such a massive carbon footprint |url=https://theconversation.com/private-planes-mansions-and-superyachts-what-gives-billionaires-like-musk-and-abramovich-such-a-massive-carbon-footprint-152514 |access-date=2 October 2021 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]}}</ref>

=== Art collection ===
Geffen is a keen collector of American artists' work, including [[Jackson Pollock]], [[Mark Rothko]] and [[Willem de Kooning]]. According to the chief curator at the [[Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles|Museum of Contemporary Art]] in Los Angeles, [[Paul Schimmel]]: "There's no collection that has a better representation of post-war American art than David Geffen's."<ref name="autogenerated1" />

In October 2006, Geffen sold two paintings by [[Jasper Johns]] and a [[Willem de Kooning|De Kooning]] from his collection for a combined sum of $143.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=2006-10-12 |title=Works by Johns and de Kooning Sell for $143.5 Million |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/12/arts/design/12geff.html |access-date=2020-02-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On November 3, 2006, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Geffen had sold [[Jackson Pollock|Pollock]]'s 1948 painting ''[[No. 5, 1948]]'' from his collection for $140&nbsp;million (£73.35&nbsp;million) to Mexican financier [[David Martinez (businessman)|David Martinez]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=2006-11-02 |title=A Pollock Is Sold, Possibly for a Record Price |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/02/arts/design/02drip.html |access-date=2020-02-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Martinez is the founder of London-based Fintech Advisory Ltd, a financial house that specializes in buying [[Developing countries' debt|Third World debt]]. The sale made ''No. 5, 1948'' the [[List of most expensive paintings|most expensive painting]] ever sold (outstripping the $134&nbsp;million paid in October 2006 for [[Gustav Klimt]]'s portrait ''[[Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I]],'' purchased by cosmetics heir [[Ronald Lauder]]).<ref>{{Cite news |author=Nigel Reynolds |date=2006-11-03 |title=Pollock world's most expensive painting |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1533200/Pollock-worlds-most-expensive-painting.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1533200/Pollock-worlds-most-expensive-painting.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |access-date=2020-02-14 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Wealth-X reported in June 2013 that Geffen owns the most valuable private art collection in the world, and estimated its worth at $1.1B at the time.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 29, 2013 |title=Private Wealth: Geffen's Art Collection Tops In Value |url=http://www.wealthx.com/articles/2013/private-wealth-geffens-art-collection-tops-in-value/ |website=Wealthx.com}}</ref>

In February 2016, Bloomberg News reported that Geffen had sold De Kooning's 1955 oil painting, ''[[Interchange (de Kooning)|Interchange]]'', for $300 million, and Pollock's 1948 painting, ''[[Number 17A]]'', for $200 million, both to hedge fund billionaire [[Kenneth C. Griffin|Ken Griffin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 19, 2016 |title=Billionaire drops $500M for 2 masterpieces |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/billionaire-drops-500m-for-2-masterpieces |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=Fox News}}</ref>

=== Political views ===
Geffen is a donor to [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] candidates and organizations, and was an early financial supporter of President [[Bill Clinton]]. In 2001, he had a quarrel with the former president over Clinton's decision not to pardon [[Leonard Peltier]], on whose behalf he had lobbied the President.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6387615.stm |work=BBC News | title=Faces of the week | date=February 23, 2007 | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref>

Geffen was an early supporter of [[Barack Obama]]’s presidential campaign and raised $1.3&nbsp;million for Obama in a [[Beverly Hills]] fundraiser.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-obama-idUSN2145471520070222|title=Obama finds friends, money in Hollywood|date=2007-02-22|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-02-14|language=en}}</ref>

Along with other Hollywood figures including [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Brad Pitt]], Geffen donated to oppose [[2008 California Proposition 8|Proposition 8 in the November 2008 election]]. Proposition 8 would have amended California's Constitution to ban [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/?appSession=587482278271008&RecordID=14493&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy= | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207142742/http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/?appSession=587482278271008&RecordID=14493&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy= | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 7, 2008 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=Proposition 8 contributions | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Proposition 8: Who gave in the gay marriage battle?(Dreamworks Skg) |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-24-me-gay-marriage24-story.html|access-date=3 July 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Proposition 8: Who gave in the gay marriage battle? (Dreamworks Studios) |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-24-me-gay-marriage24-story.html|access-date=3 July 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> California's voters passed Proposition 8 by a margin of 52.24% to 47.76%. Decisions in federal courts ultimately invalidated California's prohibition of same-sex marriage. See [[2008 California Proposition 8#Legal challenges|2008 California Proposition 8 § Legal challenges]].

Geffen, among other wealthy Democrats, donated to [[the Lincoln Project]], a Republican-led super PAC that opposed the re-election of Donald Trump and the Republican Senators who supported Trump in the 2020 election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Six More Billionaires Donate To The Anti-Trump Lincoln Project |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2020/07/15/six-billionaires-join-christy-walton-to-support-anti-trump-republican-group-that-sparked-trump-twitter-tirades/|website=Forbes |date=July 15, 2020}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
=== Coastal access ===
Until 2017, Geffen owned a [[Malibu, California|Malibu]] compound on [[Carbon Beach]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=David |first=Mark |date=2017-05-03 |title=David Geffen Sells Oceanfront Malibu Compound for Record Price |url=https://variety.com/2017/dirt/real-estalker/david-geffen-malibu-compound-1202408411/ |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1983, Geffen received permits from the [[California Coastal Commission]] to build a [[Cape Cod (house)|Cape Cod-style]] compound over multiple beachfront lots in exchange for creating a public pathway to the beach. He failed to build that pathway, and in 2002, filed a lawsuit to block public access altogether.<ref>{{Cite news |last=WEISS |first=KENNETH R. |date=2002-07-12 |title=Not All Quiet on the Beachfront |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jul-12-me-beach12-story.html |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=ROUG |first=GINA PICCALO AND LOUISE |date=2002-07-09 |title=The Pathos and the Pain |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jul-09-lv-angles9-story.html |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |issn=0458-3035}}</ref> After a protracted three-year legal battle, Geffen reached a settlement with the Coastal Commission, granting the public a nine-foot-wide easement to the beach and reimbursing the state and non-profit groups $300,000 in legal fees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Kenneth R. |date=2005-04-16 |title=Geffen to Reimburse $300,000 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-16-me-geffen16-story.html |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |issn=0458-3035}}</ref> The pathway was opened on May 30, 2005, to national and international media coverage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Paul |date=2005-04-17 |title=Hollywood boss loses fight to keep a beach to himself |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/apr/17/film.usa |access-date=2018-03-06 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Navarro |first=Mireya |date=2005-06-05 |title=In Malibu, the Water's Fine (So Don't Come In!) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/fashion/sundaystyles/in-malibu-the-waters-fine-so-dont-come-in.html |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Beach access next to Geffen's home opened |url=https://malibutimes.com/news/article_68d596e6-5ad2-51bf-9b24-c2264996f48b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814191928/http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_68d596e6-5ad2-51bf-9b24-c2264996f48b.html |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=Malibu Times |language=en}}</ref> The controversy has been called the "most famous Malibu battle" for beach access.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Beach Closed, Keep Out: Billionaire Tries to Block Surfers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/beach-closed-keep-out-billionaire-tries-block-surfers-n191441 |access-date=2018-03-06 |work=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The Coastal Commission later contacted the state transportation department without receiving a response to ask if the curb cuts that prevented public parking were valid, amid rumors that Geffen had installed four fake garage doors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abcarian |first=Robin |date=June 24, 2014 |title=Long overdue: Malibu elitists who impede public access now face fines |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/abcarian/la-me-ra-malibu-public-access-fines-20140623-column.html |access-date=2018-03-06 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Groves |first=Martha |date=May 27, 2013 |title=Malibu beach guide helps sort out parking, access, all in an app |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-malibu-beach-app-20130526-dto-htmlstory.html |access-date=2018-03-06 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> The house was later sold to [[Mark Walter]] the principal owner of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] for $85 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://la.curbed.com/2017/6/5/15743132/david-geffen-malibu-beach-dodgers-owner-record-sale | title=The buyer of David Geffen's lavish Malibu beach spread? The owner of the Dodgers | date=June 5, 2017 }}</ref>

=== Accusations of insider trading ===
On March 9, 2022, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that Geffen, [[Barry Diller]] and Diller's stepson, [[Prince Alexander von Fürstenberg|Alex Von Furstenberg]], were being investigated by the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|Securities and Exchange Commission]] and the [[United States Department of Justice]] for [[insider trading]] of options on [[Activision Blizzard]] just three days before Microsoft's announced acquisition. Diller denied the allegations and claimed it was "simply a lucky bet".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |last2=Boorstin |first2=Julia |date=2022-03-09 |title=Barry Diller denies insider trading on Microsoft, Activision deal amid DOJ and SEC investigations |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/09/barry-diller-denies-insider-trading-on-microsoft-activision-deal.html |access-date=2022-03-09 |work=[[CNBC]]}}</ref>

== Awards and honors ==
In 2010, Geffen was a recipient of [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees#Non-performers (Ahmet Ertegun Award)|Ahmet Ertegun Award]] from the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rockhall.com/induction2010/ |title=Congratulations to the 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees! |access-date=December 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223194626/http://www.rockhall.com/induction2010/ |archive-date=December 23, 2009 }}</ref>

In 2011, Geffen was awarded with the President's Merit Award for "indelible contributions to the music industry" from the [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] at the [[53rd Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.grammy.com/news/53rd-grammy-awards-season-hits-high-notes | title = 53rd GRAMMY Awards Season Hits High Notes|website=Grammy.com | access-date = May 7, 2011}}</ref>

== Cultural references ==
While Geffen has produced music, he has also been the subject of several songs, documentaries and books.

[[Joni Mitchell]] and Geffen were close friends and, in the early 1970s, made a trip to Paris with [[Robbie Robertson]] and Robertson's wife, Dominique. As a result of that trip, Mitchell wrote "[[Free Man in Paris]]"<ref>{{Cite web |title=News Archive - Your link to SouthCoast Massachusetts and beyond |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-96/12-07-96/b01ae065.htm/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041001000211/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-96/12-07-96/b01ae065.htm |archive-date=October 1, 2004 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |publisher=SouthCoastToday.com |df=mdy}}</ref> about Geffen.<ref>Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 192, Broadway Books (New York 2001).</ref> Geffen can be heard on [[Barbra Streisand]]'s ''[[The Broadway Album]]'', released in 1985. The track "[[Putting It Together]]" features Geffen, [[Sydney Pollack]], and Ken Sylk portraying the voices of record company executives talking to Streisand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album of the Month for BarbraNews.com by Steven Housman |url=http://www.barbranews.com/albummonth.htm |access-date=March 23, 2011 |publisher=Barbranews.com}}</ref>

Geffen is the subject of several books, most recently ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'' (2001) by Tom King, who initially had Geffen's cooperation, but later did not. An earlier biography was ''The Rise and Rise of David Geffen'' (1997) by Stephen Singular. He is also a featured character in ''Mailroom: Hollywood History From The Bottom Up'' by David Rensen, in ''Mansion On The Hill'' by Fred Goodman, in ''Hotel California'' by Barney Hoskyns, and in several books about [[Michael Ovitz]].

He was the subject of an ''[[American Masters]]'' [[PBS]] television documentary titled ''Inventing David Geffen''. The documentary was directed by Susan Lacy and was first broadcast on 20 November 2012.<ref name="About: Inventing David Geffen" /> In the first series of [[The West Wing season 1|''The West Wing'']], the actor [[Bob Balaban]] played a character reported to be a thinly-veiled version of Geffen, as he pressured a sitting president to come out more strongly for [[Gay rights in America]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shannon |first=Jeff |date=19 November 2012 |title=Inventing David Geffen: The Art of Self-Creation |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/inventing-david-geffen-the-art-of-self-creation |access-date=27 April 2024 |website=Roger Ebert |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|311691|David Geffen}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{iobdb name|8973}}
* [https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-geffen/ Forbes.com: Forbes World's Richest People]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221601/http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=1078 Is David Geffen gearing up to buy the LA Times?]
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p79383|label=David Geffen}}
* [https://holtremembers.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-remember-david-geffen.html 'I Remember David Geffen', by Steve Holt]

{{2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|state=collapsed}}
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[[Category:Jews from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Jewish American film people]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ rights activists]]
[[Category:California Democrats]]