Tom Pollock facts for kids

Thomas Philip Pollock (born April 10, 1943 – died August 1, 2020) was an important American film producer and a top boss at movie studios. He started his career as a lawyer for people in the entertainment world. Later, he became a studio executive and a film producer. He also led the American Film Institute (AFI) and taught about movies at a university. He helped run the Los Angeles Music Center and was part of the California Bar Association. He also co-owned a movie company called The Montecito Picture Company.

Early Life

Thomas Philip Pollock was born in Los Angeles, California, on April 10, 1943. His parents were Helene and Dr. Joseph Pollock. He had two siblings, Ken and Margo. His family was Jewish.

He went to The Happy Valley School in Ojai, California. This school is now called Besant Hill School. His grandfather helped start this school.

Pollock graduated from Stanford University in 1964. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Then, he went to Columbia University School of Law. He was a top student there and worked on the Law Review. He received his law degree in 1967.

Amazing Career in Film

Starting as a Lawyer

Pollock began his career in 1968. He worked as an assistant to George Stevens. Stevens was the first director of the American Film Institute (AFI). In 1969, Pollock became a manager for AFI's new film school.

In 1970, he started his own law firm. It was called Pollock, Rigrod, and Bloom. Later, it became Pollock, Bloom and Dekom. He started with no clients. So, he found film students from AFI and other places.

One of his first clients was George Lucas. Lucas was working on a movie called THX 1138. Pollock helped Lucas make a famous deal. This deal gave Lucas the rights to sell toys and make sequels for Star Wars.

Pollock also helped start the Indiana Jones and Superman movie series. By the 1980s, his law firm was one of the best in Los Angeles.

Leading Universal Pictures

In September 1986, Pollock left his law firm. He became a top executive at MCA Inc.. He also became the chairman of Universal Pictures.

While he was at Universal, the studio released over 200 movies. These films earned more than $10 billion worldwide. Some of the most famous movies included:

• Jurassic Park (which was the highest-grossing film at the time)
• The Back to the Future trilogy
• Do the Right Thing
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Backdraft
• Twins
• Cape Fear
• Parenthood
• The Flintstones
• Kindergarten Cop
• Beethoven and Beethoven's 2nd
• Casper
• Waterworld
• Sneakers
• Lorenzo's Oil
• Casino

During his time, Universal movies received seven Academy Award nominations for Best Picture. Schindler's List won the Best Picture award in 1993. Other nominated films included:

• Field of Dreams
• Born on the Fourth of July
• Scent of a Woman
• In the Name of the Father
• Apollo 13
• Babe

Pollock brought many talented people to Universal. These included directors and producers like Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Ivan Reitman, Martin Scorsese, and Spike Lee.

He also helped create United Cinemas International (UCI). This was a partnership with Paramount Pictures. UCI became the largest movie theater company outside North America. He also formed Gramercy Pictures in 1992, which is now Focus Features.

In 1995, MCA was sold. Pollock became the vice chairman of MCA/Universal Studios. He left this job in March 1996. He had been a top film executive for nine years.

After Universal

After leaving Universal, Pollock taught film studies. He taught at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Pollock family supported the Pollock Theater at UCSB. This theater hosts talks with filmmakers and critics.

Pollock also returned to the AFI as a board member. He became chairman of the board in 1996. During his time, AFI created its 100 Years...100 Movies TV show. They also started the AFI Awards. He served as vice chairman of the AFI Board and led the AFI Awards film jury.

Founding The Montecito Picture Company

In 1998, Pollock started a new company. He co-founded The Montecito Picture Company with director Ivan Reitman. This company produced many movies, including:

• Road Trip
• Old School
• Disturbia
• Up in the Air (nominated for Best Picture)
• I Love You, Man
• Chloe
• No Strings Attached
• Hitchcock
• Draft Day
• Baywatch
• Father Figures

He was also an executive producer for Ghostbusters: Answer the Call and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Personal Life

Thomas Pollock lived in Malibu, California. He had three children: Alexandra, Allegra, and Luke. He also had four grandchildren: Haley, Ben, Amelia, and Owen.

Pollock passed away on August 1, 2020. He was 77 years old. He died from a heart attack at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Tom Pollock para niños