Leslie Moonves

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Leslie Moonves
Les Moonves at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg
Les Moonves at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Woody Allen's film Whatever Works
Born Leslie Roy Moonves
(1949-10-06) October 6, 1949 (age 74)
New York City, U.S.
Residence Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Other names Les Moonves
Alma mater Bucknell University, Valley Stream Central High School
Occupation Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of CBS Corporation
Director at ZeniMax Media
Salary $66.9 million (2013) (includes other compensation)[1]
Spouse(s)
  • Nancy Wiesenfeld
    (m. 1978; div. 2004)
  • Julie Chen
    (m. 2004)
Children 4
Relatives Jon Moonves (brother)[2][3]

Leslie Roy Moonves (/ˈmuːnvɛz/; born October 6, 1949), known as Les Moonves, is an American media executive. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation.[4][5]

Moonves served as Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Viacom, Inc., the predecessor to CBS Corporation, from 2004 until the company split on December 31, 2005. Prior to that, he had a series of executive positions at CBS, since July 1995.[4] He has been a Director at ZeniMax Media since 1999.[4] He became Chairman of CBS in February 2016.[6][7][8]

Early life

Moonves was born to a Jewish family[9][10] in New York City, the son of Josephine (Schleifer) and Herman Moonves,[11][12] and grew up in Valley Stream, New York. His mother was a nurse.[13] He has two brothers, including entertainment attorney Jonathan Moonves; and one sister Melissa Moonves Colon.[13] He attended Valley Stream Central High School and went to Bucknell University, graduating in 1971.[14] In his sophomore year he switched his major from pre-med to Spanish and acted in a few plays; following graduation in 1971 he moved to Manhattan to pursue a career as an actor, but after he played a few "forgettable" TV roles he decided to pursue the business side of television instead.[15]

Leslie Moonves also studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.[when?][citation needed]

Business career

Moonves had upper management experience early in his business career. He was in charge of first-run syndication and pay/cable programming at 20th Century Fox Television. Also at 20th Century Fox Television he was vice president of movies and mini-series. Other positions included vice president of Development at Saul Ilson Productions (in association with Columbia Pictures Television) and development executive for Catalina Productions.[16]

Lorimar Television and Warner Bros. Television

Moonves joined Lorimar Television in 1985 as executive in charge of its movies and mini-series, and in 1988, became head of creative affairs. From 1990 to 1993, he was president at Lorimar.[17] In July 1993, he became president/CEO of Warner Bros. Television, when Warner Bros. and Lorimar Television combined operations. In this phase of his career, he green-lighted the hit shows Friends and ER, among many others.[15]

CBS

He joined CBS in July 1995 as president of CBS Entertainment.[18] From April 1998 until 2003, he was president and chief executive officer at CBS Television, then was promoted to chairman and CEO of CBS in 2003. In 2003, CBS became America's most watched television network.[citation needed]

Among the shows that gave CBS a new lease on life were the CSI franchise and Survivor. CBS had six of the ten most-watched primetime shows in the final quarter of 2005: CSI, Without a Trace, CSI: Miami, Survivor: Guatemala, NCIS, and Cold Case.[15]

In February 2005, Moonves was identified as the executive directly responsible for ordering the cancellation of UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise and the ending of the 18-year revival of the Star Trek television franchise.[19] In January 2006, Moonves helped make the deal that brought together CBS-owned UPN with The WB to form the CW Network.

Moonves was considered the second most highly paid director for 2012 and 2013: he received $58.8 million[20] and $65.4 million.[21]

In 2013, Moonves was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.[22] He became chairman of CBS in February 2016.[6][7][8]

Of the tone of the 2016 Republican presidential campaign and the advertising dollars it delivers, Moonves said, "It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS." He added, "Donald's place in this election is a good thing."[23]

Sexual misconduct allegations

In July of 2018, The New York Times announced that Moonves would be the subject of an investigation by the board of directors of CBS for allegations of "personal misconduct" which involve "recently reported allegations that go back several decades," according to a statement by the board.[24] According to The New Yorker, six women accuse Moonves of harassment and intimidation, and dozens more describe abuse at his company. [25] Moonves was subsequently placed under investigation by the CBS board.[26]

Lawsuits

On February 28, 2006, Moonves led CBS to file a $500 million lawsuit against Howard Stern for allegedly breaching his contract by failing to disclose the details of his deal with Sirius Satellite Radio while still employed by Infinity Broadcasting. Stern vowed to fight the suit, and said on his radio program that Moonves and CBS were trying to "bully" him and his agent, Don Buchwald. Stern later appeared on CBS' own Late Show with David Letterman, wearing a shirt mocking Moonves and his wife. On June 7, 2006, Stern announced that the lawsuit had been settled. As part of the settlement, Sirius acquired the exclusive rights to all of the WXRK tapes (over two decades worth of shows) for $2 million.

ZeniMax Media

Moonves has served on the board of ZeniMax Media since its foundation in 1999, alongside his friend and ZeniMax president Ernest Del.[27] Moonves' personal investment[28] in the company has been noted, as well as his appearances at several launch parties, including for Bethesda Softworks' Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Rage.[29]

Acting career

In his early career, Moonves was an actor. He landed a few television roles, playing tough guys on Cannon and The Six Million Dollar Man[30] before deciding on a career change.[15] He also worked as one of casting director Caro Jones' first office assistants early in her career.[31]

On April 7, 2003, Moonves portrayed himself in an episode of The Practice. From early 2004, Moonves has made regular contributions to Late Show with David Letterman. One of these appearances was provoked by Letterman himself when he declared outrage that Jay Leno was featured prominently on the CBS website in an ad for CBS' telecast of the People's Choice Awards. On the Late Show, Letterman jokingly warned the "CBS stooge in the control room" to call his buddies "before things turn ugly." Moonves obliged. Later appearances have taken the same format, with Letterman discussing current events and the CBS network with the company's CEO.

On the March 23, 2015 premiere episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden, Moonves portrayed himself as the head of CBS, who then sends out a golden ticket that will grant whoever finds it a chance to host the Late Late Show, in an homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Moonves would also appear on the first episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on September 8, 2015. During this episode, Moonves was repeatedly shown with a giant switch which he could use to switch the network to reruns of The Mentalist (as CBS had aired reruns of scripted dramas in the 11:35 pm time slot over the summer between the final episode of the Late Show with David Letterman and the premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) if he was dissatisfied with Colbert's performance (which he did, briefly, twice during the show).[32]

Personal life

Moonves with his wife Julie Chen at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival

Moonves is a great-nephew of Paula Ben-Gurion, born Paula Munweis, wife of David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel.[33][34] He practices Transcendental Meditation, and has said, "It puts me in a calm state, which I'm not always in."[35]

In 1978, Moonves married Nancy Wiesenfeld (m. December 17, 1978, div. 2004), with whom he has three children[36][37][38][39] including W magazine style director Sara Moonves.[40] In April 2003, Nancy Moonves filed for divorce in L.A. Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. Nancy and Les Moonves were already living apart.[41]

In 2004, although his divorce from Nancy was not yet finalized, Les Moonves began dating CBS' The Early Show reporter Julie Chen.[42] On December 10, 2004, Moonves got a court to grant an early divorce.[43] Tired of waiting, Moonves' motion cited a "desire to return to the status of being single". Thirteen days later in Mexico, he married Chen.[42] On September 24, 2009, Chen gave birth to a son.[44]

Moonves resides in Beverly Hills, California, in a house he bought from Andy Heyward.[45] He also owns residences in New York City and Malibu.[46]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ CNN Money: "Leslie Moonves's Role of a Lifetime. The former actor excels at spotting talent and picking shows. Now he has to sell Wall Street on CBS stock" By Devin Leonard April 10, 2006 |"Moonves joked afterward. "You know, this is my tenth time playing Carnegie Hall. I believe that is a new record for a Jew without an instrument."
  10. ↑ Financial Post: "Lawrence Solomon: The Jewish press and Israel" by Lawrence Solomon November 30, 2012
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Barnes, Mike. Hollywood Reporter: "Josephine Moonves, Mother of CBS' Leslie Moonves, Dies at 92", The Hollywood Reporter, July 18, 2016.
  14. ↑ Leslie Moonves '71 to Receive Honorary Degree at Commencement from the Bucknell University website
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Leslie Moonves's Role of a Lifetime Money via CNN.com. Retrieved April 10, 2006.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ newyorker.com 27 July 2018 / Ronan Farrow: Allegations of Sexual Misconduct (This article appears in the print edition of the August 6 & 13, 2018, issue, with the headline “Trouble at the Top.”)
  26. ↑ https://www.wsj.com/articles/cbs-board-to-investigate-allegations-of-misconduct-by-ceo-leslie-moonves-1532708699
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Leslie Moonves at the Internet Movie Database
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ JSpace: "All in the Family: Les Moonves is Grandnephew of Ben Gurion Archived 2013-04-11 at archive.today October 6, 2011
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/michael_samuel_moonves_born_1988_18707538
  37. ↑ https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/sara_anne_moonves_born_1984_16455934
  38. ↑ "NY Daily News – Daily Dish – Rush & Molloy: Moonves' marriage may get an airing" from the New York Daily News Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Interfaith Family: "Interfaith Celebrities: The Talk's Hosts and David Schwimmers Bride" By Nate Bloom. October 26, 2010 |"Moonves, who is Jewish, began an affair with Chen while still married to his first (Jewish) wife, who is the mother of his three older children"
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Business positions
Preceded by
Peter Tortorici
 President of CBS
1995–1998		 Succeeded by
Nancy Tellem
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