How Did I Get Here?

Cheryl Boone Isaacs

President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  • Education
  • Classical High School, Springfield, Mass., class of 1967
  • Whittier College, Whittier, Calif., class of 1971
  • Work Experience
  • 1977–78
    Publicist, Columbia Pictures
  • 1978–83
    Advertising and publicity coordinator, vice president, Melvin Simon Productions
  • 1983–84
    Executive director for advertising and publicity, the Ladd Co.
  • 1984–97
    Director, VP, SVP, EVP for worldwide publicity, Paramount Pictures
  • 1997–99
    President for theatrical marketing, New Line Cinema
  • 1999–2005, 2009–Present
    Present President, CBI Enterprises
  • 2005–08
    Co-owner, Target Approach
  • 2013–Present
    President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  • Life Lessons
  • “Early on, put your head down, learn as much as you can, and look up in 10 years.”
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  • “When things are not moving favorably for you, think about what’s positive and how you can build on it.”
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  • “Be totally responsive and present while you’re working.”
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  • With film editor Richard Chew, late 1970s
  • “There were opportunities I wasn’t considered for. But everyone in Hollywood has that situation—I don’t care what you look like. I didn’t let it stop me.”
  • “My brother was a successful film executive at 20th Century Fox, and his world seemed so glamorous and fun, so I drove to L.A. and knocked on doors.”
  • “The company folded after a year, or I’d probably still be there. I’m still close to Alan Ladd Jr.”
  • “I teamed up with a colleague from Paramount on a film marketing company. It didn’t pan out but was still a good experience.”
  • With songwriter Diane Warren (left) and Lady Gaga at the 88th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon, 2016
  • “I was an average student and outgoing. I’m an extrovert.”
  • Promoting The Hunt for Red October with Sean Connery, 1990
  • “I learned every aspect of marketing and distribution. We did Love at First Bite with George Hamilton, The Stunt Man, and Porky’s—that was the most profitable.”
  • “My son was 4, and the 24/7 hours [at New Line] weren’t working for me. So I consulted, mostly on awards campaigns.”
  • With (left to right) Idris Elba, Common, Will Smith, and Abraham Attah at the 2015 Governors Awards
  • In 2016 the Academy announced an initiative to diversify its largely white, male membership base. From a statement released on Jan. 18: “This is a difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes.”