Insightful Investor

#104 - Jim Gianopulos: The Evolution of Hollywood and Tech

Jan 6, 2026
Jim Gianopulos, former chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures, shares his extraordinary journey from lawyer to Hollywood executive. He offers insights on navigating the film industry’s evolution and the delicate balance between creativity and business. Gianopulos discusses the rise of streaming, AI's potential impact on filmmaking, and how collaboration with tech leaders helped transform challenges into opportunities. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of mentorship, innovation, and creating great work with integrity.
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ANECDOTE

From Lawyer To Studio Chief

  • Jim Gianopulos started in the industry as the third employee of an RCA-Columbia joint venture and rode the early video boom into studio leadership.
  • He credits hard work, mentors, and being at the right place during media expansion for his rise to Fox leadership.
ADVICE

Work The Job And Prepare Next Move

  • Do your current job as well as possible and leave time to prepare for the next opportunity through learning and networking.
  • Ask industry people for five minutes of their time and watch trends to identify your next step.
ANECDOTE

Reviving A Failing Studio

  • At Paramount Jim inherited a studio that lost $450M the year before and rebuilt it by recruiting talented colleagues displaced after Disney bought Fox.
  • That turnaround produced hits like A Quiet Place, Sonic, and the Top Gun Maverick sequel.
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