Sid Ganis
Encyclopedia
Sidney Ganis is a Greek-American
motion picture
executive and producer who has produced such films as Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
, Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds
, The Master of Disguise
and Akeelah and the Bee
. On August 23, 2005 he was elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
. He serves on the board of directors of Marvel Entertainment
as well as boards of film festivals and film organizations around the country.
Ganis was born in Brooklyn
, New York
. He's of Greek descent, from the city of Ioannina
. He was exposed to the world of entertainment when he worked as an office boy for Lee Solters
. This led him to a film career in marketing and publicity at several studios, eventually joining Lucasfilm
, where he served as Senior Vice President for several years. He later became president of Paramount Pictures
. After leaving Paramount in 1990, Ganis became president of marketing and distribution at Columbia Pictures
. He was eventually made chairman of the studio. In 1996 he stepped down from that position to produce his own films. His company, Out of the Blue Entertainment, remains active at Columbia Pictures
. He also serves on the board of directors of DeskSite
.
His wife Nancy Hult Ganis
is a film and TV producer.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
motion picture
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
executive and producer who has produced such films as Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo is a 1999 comedy film starring Rob Schneider. Other cast members include Eddie Griffin, Amy Poehler, Oded Fehr, Arija Bareikis, and William Forsythe....
, Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds
Mr. Deeds
Mr. Deeds is a 2002 American comedy film, directed by Steven Brill and starring Adam Sandler and Winona Ryder. The movie, which is loosely a remake of the 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, also stars Peter Gallagher, John Turturro, Allen Covert and Steve Buscemi...
, The Master of Disguise
The Master of Disguise
The Master of Disguise is a family fantasy comedy film released in 2002 starring actors Dana Carvey, Jennifer Esposito, James Brolin and Brent Spiner...
and Akeelah and the Bee
Akeelah and the Bee
Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison. It tells the story of Akeelah Anderson, portrayed by Keke Palmer, an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her mother, portrayed by Angela Bassett, schoolmates, and also her...
. On August 23, 2005 he was elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
. He serves on the board of directors of Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC , formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc....
as well as boards of film festivals and film organizations around the country.
Ganis was born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He's of Greek descent, from the city of Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
. He was exposed to the world of entertainment when he worked as an office boy for Lee Solters
Lee Solters
Lee Solters was an American press agent who used his flamboyant style to represent celebrities from stage, movies and sports including 26 years with Frank Sinatra.-Early life and career:...
. This led him to a film career in marketing and publicity at several studios, eventually joining Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Limited is an American film production company founded by George Lucas in 1971, based in San Francisco, California. Lucas is the company's current chairman and CEO, and Micheline Chau is the president and COO....
, where he served as Senior Vice President for several years. He later became president of Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. After leaving Paramount in 1990, Ganis became president of marketing and distribution at Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
. He was eventually made chairman of the studio. In 1996 he stepped down from that position to produce his own films. His company, Out of the Blue Entertainment, remains active at Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
. He also serves on the board of directors of DeskSite
DeskSite
DeskSite is a privately held media company based in Orange County, California. The company operates a video advertising network expressly designed to target television budgets from national advertisers...
.
His wife Nancy Hult Ganis
Nancy Hult Ganis
Nancy Hult Ganis, is an American TV and film publicist, writer, producer and developer as well as the co-founder and partner of Out of the Blue…Entertainment...
is a film and TV producer.