Frank Wells
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
Former entertainment lawyer, a Rhodes scholar and specialist in motion picture law who joined Warner Brothers as a vice president in 1969 handling script acquisitions and making deals with talent. Within four years Wells was named president; he later added on the titles of co-CEO and vice chairman. During his tenure, Warners released such well-remembered titles as "The Exorcist" (1973), "The Towering Inferno" (1974), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1975), "Oh God" (1977) and "Private Benjamin" (1980).
Having carved a solid niche for himself at Warners and developing a reputation for brilliance and quiet reliability as a sounding board for ideas, Wells probably could have coasted at the studio for some time, but an all-around adventurer, he left his job shortly before turning 50 to pursue a lifelong ambition. An ardent mountaineer, Wells set out to climb the highest mountain on each of the world's continents; he succeeded with six, but had to turn back on Mt. Everest the day before he would have reached the summit because of impossible weather conditions.
Wells was subsequently in consideration for the job of CEO at Disney but suggested that Michael Eisner was really the right man for the job. Eisner soon thereafter brought Wells on board as president and COO, and together the flamboyant Eisner and the more self-effacing Wells boosted Disney income from $1.5 to 8.5 billion, increased the company's market value eleven-fold and tripled revenue from the organization's worldwide theme parks and resorts (even if they had to carry the less-than-successful Euro Disney). Feature output during the 1980s and 90s included "Splash" (1984), "The Color of Money" (1986), "Tin Men" (1987), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" (1988), "The Little Mermaid" (1989), "Pretty Woman" (1990), "Beauty and the Beast" (1991), "Sister Act" (1992) and "Cool Runnings" (1993). The zestful if behind-the-scenes Wells unfortunately had his ebullient career cut short by a helicopter crash in early 1994.
Filmography
Assistant Direction (Feature Film)
Art Director (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Life Events
1954
While at Oxford, spent a spring break flying a single-engine plane with friend Vince Jones from Oxford to Cape Town, South Africa; made pitstop in east Africa but plane crashed when he and Jones attempted take-off, so the two of them took six days and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro instead (date approximate)
1969
Joined Warner Bros. As a vice president based in the company's West Coast operations; handled deals for performers, film distribution and script acquisition rights
1973
Named president of Warner Bros.
1977
Received added title of co-chief executive officer of Warner Bros.
1982
Quit as president of Warner Bros. As he approached his 50th birthday in order to climb the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents
1984
Was in the running for the position of chief executive officer at Disney; recommended Michael Eisner for the job; Eisner (who got the job) subsequently hired Wells in September as president and chief operating officer
1989
Founded Environment Now with wife Luanne, organization based in Malibu involved with land, water and air conservation, issues of consumerism
1990
Was highest-salaried resident of California, earning nearly $51 million in salary, bonuses, and stock options
1990
Was very active in supporting Proposition 130 (the "Forest Forever" proposition), aimed at saving California's redwoods; contributed $1 million of his own money, but proposition failed to pass
Family
Companions
