Peter Bart

Peter Bart. An influential American journalist, editor, and film executive whose career has spanned major news organizations and the heart of the Hollywood entertainment industry. He is best known for his transformative leadership of the trade publication Variety and for co-founding the influential industry news site Deadline Hollywood. His unique path also included a significant tenure as a studio executive at Paramount Pictures under Robert Evans.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, he developed an early interest in media and storytelling. He pursued his higher education at the prestigious liberal arts institution Swarthmore College, where he honed his writing skills. Following his undergraduate studies, he furthered his academic pursuits at the London School of Economics, an experience that provided a global perspective on politics and business. This educational foundation prepared him for a career at the intersection of journalism and commerce.

Career at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

His professional journalism career began at the New York Times, where he worked as a reporter covering a wide range of subjects including urban affairs and business. His work at the newspaper established his reputation for incisive reporting. He later moved to the Wall Street Journal, serving in the prestigious role of Los Angeles bureau chief. In this position, he covered the burgeoning California economy and the entertainment industry, building crucial contacts within Hollywood.

Tenure at Variety and Deadline Hollywood

In 1989, he was recruited to become the editor-in-chief of the iconic trade paper Variety, a publication owned by Reed Elsevier. He revitalized the publication, making its writing more accessible and expanding its coverage beyond traditional trade news to include sharper commentary and analysis. After a highly influential run, he transitioned to the role of editorial director. In 2006, he partnered with journalist Nikki Finke to launch the groundbreaking website Deadline Hollywood, which revolutionized entertainment news with its aggressive, insider-driven reporting. He also hosted the interview show Sunday Morning Shootout and wrote a long-running column for Variety.

Film production and other ventures

Prior to his journalistic reign at Variety, he had a successful career as a film executive. He served as a vice president of production at Paramount Pictures during the studio's celebrated renaissance in the 1970s, working closely with production head Robert Evans. During this period, he was involved with seminal films such as The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby, and Harold and Maude. He is also a published author, having written several books about Hollywood, including The Gross and Fade Out. He has been a commentator for networks like CNN and Fox News Channel.

Personal life

He has been married to Leslie Bart since 1960, and the couple has two children. He maintains a residence in Los Angeles, remaining a fixture in the entertainment and media circles he has chronicled for decades. His career is notable for its dual legacy in both shaping the business of Hollywood as an executive and then authoritatively documenting its inner workings as a leading editor and columnist.

Category:American film producers Category:American journalists Category:American magazine editors Category:1932 births Category:Living people