Frank Yablans(1935-2014)
- Producer
- Writer
Former President of Paramount Pictures. During his tenure at Paramount,
Frank Yablans was instrumental in forming the partnership with
Universal CIC, now known as "UPI," creating the most successful
distributor of films in international distribution.
His five years as head of Paramount are often referred to as "Paramounts Golden Years," during which he was responsible for the development, production and marketing of films, acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, including the Godfather, Chinatown, Paper Moon, Serpico, Death Wish, Lady Sings the Blues, Murder On the Orient Express, and The Longest Yard. In addition, Paramount television, which reported to him, had successes such as Star Trek, The Odd Couple, Mission Impossible, Love American Style, and the pilot Happy Days.
After leaving Paramount, Yablans began a career as an independent producer at both Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount Pictures simultaneously, producing such hits as Silver Streak, North Dallas Forty, Mommy Dearest, The Other Side of Midnight, The Fury, and Monsignor. He also co-authored the screenplays for both North Dallas Forty and Mommy Dearest. During that time, Yablans was asked to assume the task of rebuilding MGM/UA Studio. As Co-Chairman and CEO, he reduced overhead costs and rearranged MGM and United Artists into one entity: MGM/UA. Immediately after assuming his responsibilities at MGM/UA, Yablans embarked upon an enthusiastic, yet cautious program designed to attract creative talent to the Company while controlling the risks inherent and motion picture production, distribution, and marketing. Under Yablans guidance, the Company produced and distributed a variety of high, medium and modestly budgeted films, including such hits as War Games, Octopussy, A Christmas Story, Yentl, Hot Dog: The Movie, Breakin', Red Dawn, Teachers, and 2010. His last independent film, Congo, which was produced for Paramount Pictures, has grossed in excess of $400 million worldwide. In addition, Yablans has spent the last few years focusing on Family entertainment market producing the highly regarded A Dog of Flanders and Baby Geniuses.
Yablans serves as the CEO of Promenade Pictures producing such upcoming films entitled: The Ten Commandments, Noah's Ark: The New Beginning and The Lamb.
His five years as head of Paramount are often referred to as "Paramounts Golden Years," during which he was responsible for the development, production and marketing of films, acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, including the Godfather, Chinatown, Paper Moon, Serpico, Death Wish, Lady Sings the Blues, Murder On the Orient Express, and The Longest Yard. In addition, Paramount television, which reported to him, had successes such as Star Trek, The Odd Couple, Mission Impossible, Love American Style, and the pilot Happy Days.
After leaving Paramount, Yablans began a career as an independent producer at both Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount Pictures simultaneously, producing such hits as Silver Streak, North Dallas Forty, Mommy Dearest, The Other Side of Midnight, The Fury, and Monsignor. He also co-authored the screenplays for both North Dallas Forty and Mommy Dearest. During that time, Yablans was asked to assume the task of rebuilding MGM/UA Studio. As Co-Chairman and CEO, he reduced overhead costs and rearranged MGM and United Artists into one entity: MGM/UA. Immediately after assuming his responsibilities at MGM/UA, Yablans embarked upon an enthusiastic, yet cautious program designed to attract creative talent to the Company while controlling the risks inherent and motion picture production, distribution, and marketing. Under Yablans guidance, the Company produced and distributed a variety of high, medium and modestly budgeted films, including such hits as War Games, Octopussy, A Christmas Story, Yentl, Hot Dog: The Movie, Breakin', Red Dawn, Teachers, and 2010. His last independent film, Congo, which was produced for Paramount Pictures, has grossed in excess of $400 million worldwide. In addition, Yablans has spent the last few years focusing on Family entertainment market producing the highly regarded A Dog of Flanders and Baby Geniuses.
Yablans serves as the CEO of Promenade Pictures producing such upcoming films entitled: The Ten Commandments, Noah's Ark: The New Beginning and The Lamb.
