Sherry Lansing: Pioneer Studio Executive & Philanthropist

Sherry Lansing was a trailblazer, visionary and leader in the motion picture business for almost 30 years and involved in the production, marketing and distribution of more than 200 films, including Academy Award winners Forrest Gump, Braveheart, and Titanic. In 1980, she became the first woman to head a major film studio when she was appointed President of 20th Century Fox.

As an independent producer, Lansing was responsible for such successful films including Fatal Attraction, The Accused, School Ties, Indecent Proposal and Black Rain.

In 1992, she was named chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures. During her 12 year tenure, the studio saw studio saw enormous creative and financial success. Keeping a promise to herself to leave the movie industry at age 60, Lansing moved on to create The Sherry Lansing Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer research, education and encore career opportunities. Lansing has received numerous honors and awards for her work including the 1996 Foundation of Motion Pictures Pioneers first woman to be awarded the Pioneer of the Year.