Good Bad Billionaire: David Geffen – The Hollywood Power Broker

Podcast: Good Bad Billionaire (BBC World Service)
Hosts: Simon Jack, Zing Tsjeng
Date: January 19, 2026
Episode Theme:
An in-depth exploration of the life and career of David Geffen, one of the most influential figures in the music and movie industries, examining how he made his billions, his relationships with artists and powerbrokers, his reputation for ruthlessness, and his substantial philanthropic legacy.

1. Episode Overview

This episode unpacks the extraordinary journey of David Geffen—from a tough childhood in Brooklyn to becoming a central force in Hollywood and music. The hosts, Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng, assess Geffen’s rise, trace his business moves, controversies, and motives, and finally put him to the Good Bad Billionaire test: is Geffen simply a billionaire, a good one... or a bad one?

2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

Early Life & First Breaks

• Origins: Born in 1943 into a struggling Jewish immigrant family in Brooklyn—his father unemployed, mother making bras to support the family.

  “David was the baby of the family. ... His mother called him King David.” – Simon Jack (03:27)

• Adversity: Mother hospitalized for mental illness, bullied at school—learned to fight back and hustle from an early age.
• Broadway Obsession: As a child, would skip school to see musicals, once prompting his mother to call the police thinking he was missing.
• Early Entrepreneurship: Scalp tickets for musicals and described as only thinking about money.

Breaking into Showbiz

• Contacts: Moved to California, became indirectly connected to Phil Spector—a front-row seat to hit recordings like “Be My Baby.”
• Agency Years: Got a job in the William Morris mailroom by faking college credentials.

  “He tells a bit of a porky to get the job … Forgets a fake letter.” – Simon Jack (06:45)

• Ambition & Hustle: Befriended the agency’s president; even got away with stealing a client list, highlighting early signs of his controversial tactics.
• First Million: Signed rising talents like Lorne Michaels and Laura Nyro (eventually making millions via music publishing).

Major Milestones in Music

• Publishing Genius: Co-founded Tuna Fish Music to own publishing rights—sold Laura Nyro’s catalog for $4.5 million (split with her).

  “He’s making money. Someone else’s talent is what the whole point of being an agent and a manager is.” – Simon Jack (13:00)

• Asylum Records: Founded in 1971 as a haven for artists—signed Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, The Eagles (whose greatest hits album is the best-selling US album of all time).

  “He promised he’d never take on more artists than could fit in his sauna.” – Zing Tsjeng (01:35, 17:45)

• Business Moves: Sold Asylum to Warner for $7 million, which he later called “a stupid mistake” as its value soared to $50 million.

Transition to Film and Broadway

• Warner Bros Stint & Setback: Brief, troubled tenure as vice chairman—fired within a year after clashing with big directors (e.g., Clint Eastwood).
• “Retirement” & Rebound: Misdiagnosed with cancer, spent time lecturing, investing, and socializing (Studio 54).
• Comeback: Founded Geffen Records, signing Elton John, Donna Summer, and John Lennon (signed Lennon without hearing the new album).

  “He even offers [Lennon] to sign before even hearing the record.” – Zing Tsjeng (24:04)

• Heavy Metal Pivot: Recruited A&R staff who brought in Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith, further boosting his music empire.

Hollywood Power Move: DreamWorks

• DreamWorks SKG: In 1994, created DreamWorks with Spielberg and Katzenberg—a Hollywood “supergroup.”

  “This is, if you like, a supergroup of moguls.” – Simon Jack (31:59)

• Major Investments: Each cofounder put in $33M; Microsoft’s Paul Allen invested $500M.
• Hits and Misses: Produced Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator, Shrek, but also box office flops (e.g., Sinbad).
• Exit: Sold DreamWorks to Viacom in 2006 for $1.6B.

  “Geffen, a master negotiator, twisted Viacom into overpaying…” – (35:16 paraphrased from Ross Sorkin, NYT)

Philanthropy & Investments

• Stock Savvy: Turned $200M into $1.2B via hedge fund investments; made another fortune off Apple stock and art collecting.
• Gifting Legacy: Has given away $1.2B to causes in medicine, the arts, and education—major donations to UCLA, Yale Drama School, NY Philharmonic (which now bear his name).

  “He said, ‘We should be examples to our friends and communities. ... Everybody knows who anonymous is, so you may put your name on it.’” – Zing Tsjeng (42:25)

• Cultural Impact: His name is on numerous institutions, aiming to give away all his fortune in his lifetime.

3. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On ruthlessness:

  “When David Geffen enters the California waters as a manager, sharks have entered the lagoon. ... Let’s make money, music is a byproduct.” – Paul Rothschild, via Simon Jack (15:54)

• On ambition:

  “I do give a sh*t about money. I wanted to have a lot of money. I thought it would change my life, which it did, but not in the ways I expected.” – David Geffen, via Zing Tsjeng (38:44)

• On philanthropy:

  “If you’re going to give it away, then give it away and do it when you’re alive.” – David Geffen, via Simon Jack (43:24)

• On celebrity connections:

  “This is a man who knows everyone—with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Calvin Klein, and Paul Allen on his actual speed dial.” – Zing Tsjeng (02:29)

• On cultural influence:

  “Probably our only billionaire to be the subject of a Joni Mitchell song.” – Simon Jack (02:46, referencing "Free Man in Paris")

4. Important Timestamps & Segments

• [01:23] – “Naked and Sweating” Sauna Story: Geffen’s early promise to artists (the Eagles origin story)
• [03:06] – Childhood & Formative Hardships
• [06:45] – William Morris Agency, Faking Resume & Ambition
• [13:12] – First Million: Tuna Fish Music & Laura Nyro Deal
• [17:09] – Founding Asylum Records, Signing Joni Mitchell, Eagles
• [18:27] – Selling Asylum (later regretted)
• [19:22] – Sexuality, Therapy, and Relationship with Cher
• [21:27] – Fired from Film Role, Misdiagnosed with Cancer
• [22:48] – Geffen Returns: Geffen Records & Lennon’s Death
• [25:58] – Geffen Film Company: Risky Business, Beetlejuice, etc.
• [26:48] – Becomes Billionaire (1990), Sells Geffen Records
• [31:30] – DreamWorks SKG Creation
• [34:41] – DreamWorks Hits & Flops, “Using Forbes Rich List as Collateral”
• [36:08] – Philanthropy Emphasis; building a legacy
• [39:51] – Hosts Score Geffen: Wealth, Controversy, Philanthropy, Power/Legacy

5. Scorecard Summary and Discussion

Wealth

• From rags to riches, Geffen scores a 7/10 (Simon), 8/10 (Zing) for his rise and significant financial achievements.

Controversy

• Noted for ruthlessness and being a tough negotiator, but not embroiled in major scandals. Scores 5/10 from both.

Philanthropy

• Huge public donations ($1.2B+), intent to give it all away in his lifetime. Both give him 9/10.

Power & Legacy

• Zing emphasizes his essential role in music history (8/10), Simon is more reserved (4/10), highlighting debate over how much credit goes to the “money guy.”

6. Tone & Style

• The hosts are playful and candid, mixing admiration with skepticism, and injecting humor—e.g., “One man's nightmare agent is another man's dream agent,” and, “He wouldn’t be the first or last gay man to be in love with Cher.”
• There are recurring pop culture nods, honest reflections on how money didn’t solve Geffen’s inner struggles, and an open challenge to listeners to judge Geffen’s legacy.

7. Final Thoughts & Listener Engagement

The episode closes with the hosts recapping Geffen’s journey: from mailroom to mogul, shaping modern music and film, amassing and then giving away a fortune.
They encourage listeners to share verdicts: Is David Geffen good, bad, or just another billionaire? The floor is open.

Standout Moment

• Scorecard and Self-Awareness:

  “He actually said, I do give a s about money. I wanted to have a lot of money. I thought it would change my life, which it did, but not in the ways I expected.” – David Geffen, via Zing Tsjeng (38:44)

For Those Who Haven’t Listened:
This episode charts Geffen’s relentless, often controversial pursuit of success, his deft dealmaking, and his transformation into one of America’s major philanthropists. With candid assessments, industry gossip, and famous anecdotes, Simon and Zing pull apart both the myth and reality of David Geffen—a figure revered, feared, and, above all, essential to show business history.