Michael Nathanson, president and chief operating officer of MGM Pictures, began his entertainment career at NBC Sports in NYC and moved to Los Angeles in 1977 to launch his career in film, working first as a production assistant on such features as "The Deep" and "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger" (both 1977). After stints as a vice-president of production at MBM/UA, Sherwood Productions and Warner Bros., he was appointed president of the motion picture division of Gladden Entertainment Corporation. By 1987, Nathanson had joined Columbia Pictures where he rose through the executive ranks to the position of executive vice president of production. Responsible for all aspects of production, including development, casting and overseeing Columbia's creative-executive staff, he was a principal force shepherding to the screen such acclaimed and prize-winning features as "Awakenings" (1990), "The Prince of Tides" (1991), "Boyz N the Hood" (1991), "A River Runs Through It" (1992), "A League of Their Own" (1992), "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992) and "Groundhog Day" (1993).
Prior to taking the reins at MGM, Nathanson spent three years as chairman and CEO of New Regency Productions, where his duties included managing all production, development and distribution activity. During his tenure, he supervised or produced such titles as "Natural Born Killers" (1994), "Heat" (1995), "Tin Cup" (1996), "A Time to Kill" (1996) and the last two installments of the "Free Willy" franchise. His producing credit for Curtis Hanson's critically-acclaimed "L.A. Confidential" (1997) was just one of several holdovers from his days at New Regency. Since arriving at MGM, Nathanson has overseen "Red Corner" (1997) and "Species 2" (1998) with a slate of projects (such as "Julip" and a distaff remake of "The Fortune Cookie") in various stages of development. His strong business acumen and keen eye for talent undoubtedly will continue to serve him well in his current position.
