Sidney Ganis

Sidney Ganis, an American motion picture executive and producer, was born on January 8, 1940. He is known for producing movies like Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds, The Master of Disguise, and Akeelah and the Bee. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences elected him as their President on August 23, 2005. Additionally, he is a member of the board of directors for Marvel Entertainment and participates in film festivals and organizations nationwide.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ganis's introduction to the entertainment industry began when he worked for Lee Solters as an office assistant. This experience propelled him into a film career focused on marketing and publicity across various studios. Ultimately, he joined Lucasfilm, holding the position of Senior Vice President for a number of years. Subsequently, he became the president of Paramount Pictures. Following his departure from Paramount in 1990, Ganis assumed the role of president of marketing and distribution at Columbia Pictures, eventually becoming the studio's chairman. In 1996, he left that role to focus on producing his own films. His production company, Out of the Blue Entertainment, continues to operate within Columbia Pictures.