Sherry Lansing, born on July 31, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, grew up in a Jewish family and pursued an interest in acting early on. She attended Northwestern University, earning a bachelor's degree in English in 1966. Initially working as a mathematics teacher in Los Angeles public schools, she transitioned into entertainment with acting roles in films like 'Loving' (1970) and 'The Grasshopper' (1970). Her career pivoted to production when she joined talent agencies and later became a studio executive, leveraging her analytical skills from teaching to navigate the male-dominated film world. Lansing's executive ascent was marked by groundbreaking achievements as one of the first women in top Hollywood positions. She served as President of Production at 20th Century Fox from 1980 to 1983, overseeing hits like 'Chariots of Fire' and 'Alien.' In 1992, she became Chairwoman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, a role she held until 2005, during which the studio produced blockbusters such as 'Forrest Gump,' 'Titanic,' and the 'Mission: Impossible' series, significantly boosting its financial success. Her leadership style emphasized creative risk-taking and diversity, earning her recognition as a trailblazer for women in media. After retiring from Paramount, Lansing focused on philanthropy, particularly in Jewish causes, education, and health research. She endowed a dean's chair at Northwestern's School of Communication and has served on various nonprofit boards, including the University of California Board of Regents (1999-2022), Universal Music Group (as Chairwoman), and Paramount Skydance Corporation. Married to director William Friedkin from 1991 until his death in 2023, Lansing continues to influence networks through nonprofit work, supporting women's health initiatives and cancer research via organizations like the Sherry Lansing Foundation.