Michael Ovitz Quotes

Powerful Michael Ovitz for Daily Growth

About Michael Ovitz

Michael Ovitz, born on January 29, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, is a renowned literary agent, film producer, and talent manager known for his significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His career path was not conventional; he dropped out of UCLA to pursue a job as an office runner at Creative Management Associates (CMA), a move that would later become pivotal in his journey. In 1976, Ovitz co-founded the International Creative Management (ICM) agency, transforming it into one of Hollywood's most influential talent agencies. His knack for discovering and nurturing raw talents set ICM apart, representing the likes of Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Julia Roberts, and many more. In 1995, Ovitz left ICM to join The Walt Disney Company as the President. However, his tenure was marked by controversy and disagreements with the board, leading to his dismissal in 1997. Post-Disney, Ovitz founded Artists Management Group (AMG), which later merged with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Ovitz's influence extends beyond talent management. He produced films such as "Pretty Woman," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and "Beaches." His autobiography, "Who is Michael Ovitz?", published in 1994, offers a candid look into his life and career, becoming a bestseller. Despite the ups and downs, Michael Ovitz remains a towering figure in the entertainment industry, known for his unparalleled ability to spot talent and navigate the dynamic world of show business. His story serves as an inspiration to many, encapsulating resilience, innovation, and visionary leadership.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."

This quote by Michael Ovitz emphasizes the correlation between hard work and success. The implication is that a higher level of effort and dedication (hard work) increases one's chances of experiencing positive outcomes or advantages (luck). Essentially, he suggests that through consistent effort, individuals can create their own luck by positioning themselves in situations where opportunities are more likely to arise. It's a reminder that persistence and determination can lead to success, as much as chance or serendipity.


"To be successful, you have to character, but you can't have character and be a wimp."

The quote suggests that success requires not only possessing strong character traits, such as resilience, integrity, and determination, but also the willingness to take action and make decisions even when they are difficult or unpopular. In other words, having a strong character is essential for success, but being timid or unwilling to assert oneself can hinder progress and lead to missed opportunities. The quote implies that a balance must be struck between maintaining one's character while also taking bold action in pursuit of goals.


"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."

Michael Ovitz's quote, "Don't let yesterday take up too much of today," encourages people to focus on the present instead of dwelling on past events. It's a reminder that spending excessive time reflecting on the past can hinder progress in the present moment. By focusing on what we can control now and learning from our experiences, we move forward with purpose and resilience.


"The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary."

This quote highlights that success, unlike its definition in a dictionary, does not come without hard work. It emphasizes the importance of dedication, effort, and perseverance as prerequisites for achieving success in any endeavor.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (This quote is actually by Winston Churchill, but often misattributed to Michael Ovitz.)

This quote emphasizes the importance of perseverance over success or failure in one's journey. It suggests that even if you have achieved great success, it does not guarantee continued prosperity, while failure is not an end but a temporary setback. The true measure of a person lies in their courage to keep moving forward despite challenges and obstacles. This outlook fosters resilience and determination, key traits for anyone striving towards personal or professional goals.


The human condition is not perfect. We are not perfect specimens, any of us. We're not robots.

- Michael Ovitz

Perfect, Condition, Human Condition

I'm not good at being static. I have to be climbing a mountain.

- Michael Ovitz

Good, Mountain, Being, Static

In student government in high school, I learned how to deal with people, and in college I studied Eastern philosophy. I'm also an avid team-sports fan. I think I just blended them all together and came out with a business management philosophy that combines the Eastern ethic with the Western sport concept, basically.

- Michael Ovitz

College, Deal, I Think, Blended

A lot of drive is innate, self-perpetuated, reinforced energy. As a kid, I could always sell anything I could get my hands on - from newspapers to lemonade to 'TV Guide.' I knew how to make a presentation.

- Michael Ovitz

Hands, Always, TV, Lemonade

I must say that in my early years, I was incredibly aggressive. I was working as hard as I could to build a business, to try to dominate a business. And I probably irritated a lot of people.

- Michael Ovitz

Business, Say, Could, Aggressive

I believe sometimes I make some mistakes. And I don't think they are life-threatening mistakes.

- Michael Ovitz

Think, Sometimes, Some, Life-Threatening

When I get on a plane, I don't want a laid-back pilot. I want a pilot who is a control freak, who is paying attention to every single detail of his job.

- Michael Ovitz

Pilot, Want, Plane, Control Freak

The Internet is the greatest thing that ever happened to the entertainment industry.

- Michael Ovitz

Entertainment, Ever, Greatest Thing

When I was at U.C.L.A., I worked my way through school as a tour guide at Universal Studios, and I came in contact with a lot of people in the agency business.

- Michael Ovitz

Through, Studios, Agency, Guide

I learned my first lesson at the Walt Disney Company about not being able to trust my associates.

- Michael Ovitz

Trust, Associates, Learned, Disney

I've always made my decisions based on two factors: intellectual analysis and my gut. And when they meet, that's a go from me. That's when I see the goal.

- Michael Ovitz

Goal, Always, Based, Decisions

Hollywood is a small, familial place. Everyone does business with everybody else. The same complications occur in investment banking.

- Michael Ovitz

Small, Hollywood, Everybody, Complications

I have never run a public company. I spent my entire life working for a private company.

- Michael Ovitz

Run, Private, Spent, Public Company

The unknown is always interesting.

- Michael Ovitz

Interesting, Always, Unknown

All of us are probably three people. We're probably the person that we think we are, and we're probably the person that you or somebody else perceives us to be, and... frankly, we're probably somewhere in the middle. And I think that it's important that there be a balance with respect to how individuals are - you know, are looked at.

- Michael Ovitz

Three, I Think, Individuals, Frankly

My whole life has been about risk and reward.

- Michael Ovitz

Been, About, Whole, Reward

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