Sid Sheinberg
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Sidney Sheinberg distinguished himself as a durable and powerful studio executive, long with MCA/Universal where he served as president and COO from 1973 until its 1995 sale to Edgar Bronfman Jr. Under his stewardship, Universal released the highest grossing films of each of the last three decades: "Jaws" in 1975; "E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial" in 1982 and "Jurassic Park" in 1993, all helmed by his illustrious protege Steven Spielberg whom Sheinberg helped get started in the film industry.
Formerly a lawyer and an academic affiliated with UCLA's School of Law, Sheinberg joined the legal department of Revue Productions (the production arm of MCA/Universal before divorcement of agency operation) in 1959 and within a decade had secured an executive position within MCA's TV division. Soon thereafter as a protege of Lew Wasserman, Sheinberg, at the age of 38, assumed his several important roles within the parent company.
When MCA was sold to Edgar Bronfman Jr in 1995, Sheinberg left and established his own production company, The Bubble Factory, with his two sons Jon and Bill Sheinberg. The first feature under this banner was 1996's "Flipper," a remake of the popular children's film and TV series of the 60s. The film sank at the box office but the Bubble Factory remained devoted to family fare and remakes. Projects in development early in 1997 included remakes of "Francis, the Talking Mule," Alfred Hitchcock's "Spellbound" and the 1932 Universal horror classic "The Mummy." Completed for release were a feature-length remake of the 60s military sitcom, "McHale's Navy" and "The Pest" (both 1997), a broad comedy starring John Leguizamo--who also co-wrote the story and co-produced with David Bar Katz--as a con man with a mastery of disguise.
Sheinberg is married to character actress Lorraine Gary, probably best known as Roy Scheider's wife in several of the "Jaws" films. They have long been active in numerous humanitarian causes and organizations.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1958
Admitted to California bar
1958
Became an associate in law at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law
1959
Joined the legal department of Revue Productions
1968
Became vice president of TV division, Revue Productions
1972
Named executive vice president of the parent company MCA
1995
Left MCA when it was sold to Edgar Bronfman Jr
1995
Established independent production company, The Bubble Factory, in July; signed five-year deal with Universal
1996
First film released by Bubble Factory "Flipper"; also feature producing debut
1996
Bubble Factory signed multiyear, nonexclusive production deal with Bette Midler's All Girls Productions
1997
Bubble Factory agreement with Universal ended by mutual decision
Family
Companions
