Introduction

First artists was launched in 1969 by No Lasts and Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier and Barbara Streisand. By 1975, it's sixth year, the company had only made seven films and its distribution partner had gone out of business. Steve McQueen decided that being a studio owner meant he could make movies no other studio would allow. In 1980, first artist stock was trading at $4 per share and the company folded.