Jeffrey Katzenberg

Jeffrey Katzenberg (born December 21, 1950, in New York City) is an American media executive and film producer whose career helped shape modern studio filmmaking and blockbuster animation. Best known for production leadership, he became a major force in Hollywood by pairing creative development with sharp business strategy.

From 1984 to 1994, Katzenberg served as chairman of Walt Disney Studios, overseeing both the production slate and the studio’s commercial operations during a pivotal era for the company’s feature films. After leaving Disney, he co-founded DreamWorks SKG in 1994 and went on to guide the company as CEO and executive producer, championing hit animated franchises such as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon until stepping down from the CEO role in 2016.

In recent years, Katzenberg expanded into tech and digital media, launching the investment firm WndrCo and later co-founding Quibi, a short-form mobile video platform that shut down in 2020 after a costly, short-lived run. He has also been a prominent political fundraiser and donor, supporting Democratic candidates and serving in senior campaign roles, including for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2024.

On screen, he frequently appears as himself in documentaries and specials, including Waking Sleeping Beauty, Howard, and Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel.