Jeffrey Katzenberg is an American media executive, film producer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of DreamWorks Animation (originally DreamWorks SKG). Born on December 21, 1950, in New York City, he began his career in politics as a young volunteer in John V. Lindsay's mayoral campaign at age 14 and later assisted in Lindsay's 1972 presidential bid. Transitioning to entertainment, he held odd jobs including as a talent agent at the International Famous Agency (IFA) before joining Paramount Pictures in 1975 as an assistant to chairman Barry Diller. He quickly rose to vice president of feature production within five years, contributing to the studio's successes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1984, Katzenberg joined Walt Disney Studios as chairman, where he revitalized the animation division and oversaw the production of major hits during the Disney Renaissance, including films like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King. His tenure from 1984 to 1994 marked a period of significant growth for Disney's feature film operations. Departing amid reported tensions, he co-founded DreamWorks SKG in 1994 with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, serving as CEO and executive producer. Under his leadership, DreamWorks Animation produced blockbuster franchises such as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon, establishing it as a major force in animated filmmaking until he stepped down from the CEO role in 2016. Katzenberg has also been a prominent Democratic political donor, supporting various campaigns and causes, and attended events with figures like Haim Saban. Post-DreamWorks, Katzenberg founded the venture capital firm WndrCo in 2016, focusing on investments in digital media and technology. In 2020, he launched Quibi, a short-form mobile video streaming service, which faced challenges and shut down after seven months, resulting in a reported $1.35 billion loss. Throughout his career, Katzenberg has been recognized for his business acumen and creative oversight in the media industry, though his projects have not been without controversies, including executive disputes and high-profile failures.