Gary Barber

Gary Barber (born 1957 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a film producer and media executive whose career has helped shape modern studio filmmaking. Known primarily for production leadership, he has moved between entrepreneurial ventures and major-studio stewardship, building a reputation for pairing commercial instincts with ambitious, filmmaker-driven projects.

In 1998, Barber co-founded Spyglass Entertainment with Roger Birnbaum, quickly turning the company into a hit-making force. Under the Spyglass banner, he was associated with high-profile, widely admired releases including The Sixth Sense, Seabiscuit, and Memoirs of a Geisha, titles that underscored the company’s range from prestige drama to crowd-pleasing storytelling.

Barber later took on one of Hollywood’s most visible executive roles as Chairman and CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) from 2010 to 2018. During his tenure, MGM backed major global successes such as Skyfall and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, reinforcing the studio’s place in franchise and event cinema.

After leaving MGM, Barber returned to his entrepreneurial roots by re-establishing Spyglass as Spyglass Media Group, continuing to influence how films are developed, financed, and brought to audiences worldwide.