Why Only 1 Ex-Exec In Paramount Photo?
For all the star power in Paramount’s 100th anniversary photo (this month’s Vanity Fair), it’s interesting who wasn’t among the 116 individuals snapped on January 13th. Deadline has learned that no former Paramount or Viacom executives were invited to be in the photo except for one. Sure, current Paramount CEO Brad Grey, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman, and Executive Chairman Sumner Redstone are present. But no Frank Biondi (who helped Redstone buy Paramount in the first place), no Barry Diller (who tried to deep-six the purchase), no Michael Eisner, no Jeffrey Katzenberg, no Sherry Lansing, no Jonathan Dolgen, no myriad more. What’s even weirder is that several of the other former Paramount execs are actually mentioned in the blurb accompanying the photo. So which former Paramount exec was invited? 
Former head of production Robert Evans who’s front and center in the photo “as a personal guest” of longtime pal Redstone, we’re told. Evans, of course, has been the studio’s longtime resident reprobate, complete with ample evidence that drugs and hookers were run in and out of his offices there over the years. Oh, and don’t forget that VF top editor Graydon Carter produced a documentary whitewashing Evans’ past in the published memoir The Kid Stays In The Picture. Here is Paramount’s official reason for the missing execs, courtesy of flack Steven Rubenstein: “We modeled the 100th anniversary photo on the rules used for the 90th anniversary photo, which consisted of actors, directors and current executives. The one exception was Robert Evans, who was a last-minute addition. Once again, the kid stayed in the picture.”
CEOs are power players and won’t let former power players into the picture. This is why Brad Grey is there, and none of the other former heads (even though I’d have liked to see Evans).
Hmmm. Would love to know what Evans’ lining up for future project(s). Anyone?
But Evans was a producer at the studio – he’s produced a dozen movies there – including one of my all time favorites Chinatown
I’m sure there is some janitor, security guard, or secretary who has worked on the Paramount lot for years, even decades. We don’t see those types in the photo. As for Robert Evans, you can argue that his work as an independent producer of Paramount films would justify his appearance. From CHINATOWN to HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, Paramount has released Robert Evans productions in four different decades.
The exec’s are only there to grab reflected glory done by the true creatives.
Not that I enjoy defending Evans, but he started as an actor and was and still is a producer, so he actually is more than just an executive and thus I guess warrants the exception.
Cadavra says here Bob’s still a producer. IMDb shows his last project was in 2003. Like I asked earlier on this posting… anyone know if/what he’s up to, now/ That’s IF he’s still a producer?
Robert Evans has been with the studio for more than 40 Yeats as the head of the studio and as a producer. It would have not been 100 years of Paramount if was not for Evans.
I’m directing my first feature documentary on blacklisted actress- activist Marsha Hunt. Marsha, a New York model was ‘discovered ” by Paramount Pictures in May 1936. Her agent Zeppo Marx got her a starting salary of $250.00 a week at the height of the Depression. She made 12 pictures for Paramount before she went on to MGM. I wish Paramount had gone the extra mile to research actors from earlier years like Marsha. It would have been nice for her to have her moment in the sun after all these years. She will be 95 in October but believe me, she can remember every detail about her screen test and her years at Paramount. She has quite a story to tell, which is why I am doing the film. After she was unfairly blacklisted, she went on to support humanitarian causes, becoming one of Hollywood’s very first celebrity activists She didnt have money but she used her “celebrity” to raise awareness for sadness and pain in the world. I can’t wait to finish the project. I do hope though as Paramount continues to celebrate their 100 year anniversary that they keep Marsha in mind for publicity.. thanks roger c. memos
I wish you good luck.
This sounds very interesting.
And why was Mike White in that photo…”116 of the greatest talents ever to work at the studio…Mike White, really ?
Mike White wrote and costar red in School Of Rock, the classic career making film for Jack Black. a sequel is in the works now.
As someone who had the opportunity to chat with Robert Evans, in his bedroom no less, and hear some of those stories from straight from the iconic source, I support his special inclusion wholeheartedly.
Give me a flawed, flamboyant Robert Evans over some stunted, self-possessed corporate drone any @#$%^& day.
Were you upside down?