Sherry Lansing
Sherry Lansing is an American film executive, producer and philanthropist who led 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures. She is founder and CEO of her namesake foundation and board chair of Universal Music Group.
Contents20 sections
Key facts
July 31, 1944Born in Chicago
Sherry Lansing was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.[1]
1966Graduating from Northwestern
Lansing earned a BS in speech from Northwestern University, graduating cum laude.[2]
After 1966: Teaching, Acting and Script Work
She moved to Los Angeles, taught high school English and mathematics, and pursued acting. She later became a script reader at MGM, moved into studio management and served as a vice president at Columbia Pictures.[3]
1980Leading 20th Century Fox
Lansing was appointed president of 20th Century Fox, becoming the first woman to lead a major Hollywood studio.[4]
1983–1992Independent Producing
She worked as an independent producer, collaborating with Stanley Jaffe on Fatal Attraction. She later recalled that studios repeatedly rejected the project before it secured a production opportunity.[5]
1992Leading Paramount Pictures
Lansing became chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, serving until 2005. Films released during her leadership included Forrest Gump, Braveheart and Titanic.[4]
July 31, 1996Receiving a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
She received a motion-picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first female studio head so honored.[1]
March 11, 1999Appointed a University of California Regent
California Governor Gray Davis appointed Lansing to the University of California Board of Regents. She was reappointed in 2010, with a term extending to 2022.[6]
2005Establishing Her Foundation
After leaving Paramount, she established the Sherry Lansing Foundation, focusing on cancer research, public education and opportunities for people to begin new careers later in life.[4]
2007Founding EnCorps
Lansing founded EnCorps in Los Angeles to help professionals with science, technology, engineering and mathematics experience enter teaching and support STEM education in under-resourced schools.[7]
February 25, 2007Receiving the Academy’s Humanitarian Award
At the 79th Academy Awards, Lansing received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.[8]
May 27, 2008Helping Launch Stand Up To Cancer
Lansing was a co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, formally launched that day. The initiative mobilized entertainment and media resources to fund collaborative cancer research across institutions.[9]
July 2011Chairing the University of California Regents
She began serving as chair of the University of California Board of Regents, continuing until June 2013.[6]
2017Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
The National Women’s Hall of Fame recognized Lansing’s contributions to the arts, business, humanities and philanthropy.[10]
January 10, 2023Becoming UMG Board Chair
May 29, 2026Responding to Pershing Square’s Proposal
UMG’s board unanimously rejected Pershing Square’s non-binding proposal, saying it undervalued the company. Speaking as board chair, Lansing expressed confidence in Lucian Grainge and the management team’s ability to continue creating value.[13]
October 6, 2026Continuing as a Skydance Director
Skydance’s announced board continued to include Lansing.[14]
Career Perspective: After Studio Leadership
In a 2005 Newsweek interview, Lansing said she had long planned to leave studio work around age 60 to make room for philanthropy and personal life. She also criticized the industry’s increasing reliance on marketing and opening-weekend box office.[5]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Sherry Lansing: Foundation biography: https://www.sherrylansingfoundation.org/about/founder/ (opens in a new window).[4]
Sherry Lansing Foundation: Official website: https://www.sherrylansingfoundation.org/ (opens in a new window).[4]
EnCorps: Official website: https://encorps.org/ (opens in a new window).[7]
Stand Up To Cancer: Official website: https://standuptocancer.org/ (opens in a new window).[15]
Universal Music Group: Official website: https://www.universalmusic.com/ (opens in a new window).[11]
Sources
- Sherry Lansing — Hollywood Walk of Fame (opens in a new window)
- Sherry Lansing ’66, ’95 H — 2026 Northwestern Alumni Medalist (opens in a new window)
- Outstanding Alumni, Lasting Impact — Sherry Lansing (opens in a new window)
- Sherry Lansing — Founder (opens in a new window)
- The Goodbye Girl (opens in a new window)
- Regent Sherry L. Lansing (opens in a new window)
- Who We Are — EnCorps (opens in a new window)
- The 79th Academy Awards — 2007 (opens in a new window)
- More Stars Stand Up To Cancer This Friday, September 5th (opens in a new window)
- Sherry Lansing — National Women’s Hall of Fame (opens in a new window)
- Sherry Lansing Named Chairman of the Board of Universal Music Group N.V. (opens in a new window)
- Board of Directors — Universal Music Group (opens in a new window)
- Universal Music Group N.V. Board of Directors Declines Unsolicited Pershing Square Proposal (opens in a new window)
- Skydance Announces Board, Adding Ynon Kreiz, Laurene Powell Jobs and Bobby Kotick as Directors and Tony Blair as Advisor (opens in a new window)
- Leadership Team — Sherry Lansing (opens in a new window)