He is an American producer and business magnate, born on February 21, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. His parents were Jewish immigrants. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1960. After a short time at the University of Texas at Austin and Brooklyn College, he moved to Los Angeles, California, to work in the entertainment business. He also attended Santa Monica College but dropped out. He started his career in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, where he later became a talent agent. He is known for Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Beetlejuice (1989-1991), and Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994).