Jeffrey Katzenberg Biography: Awards, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Children, Wife

Jeffrey Katzenberg is an American film producer, media executive, and entrepreneur best known for co-founding DreamWorks SKG alongside Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.

Profile

• Full Name: Jeffrey Katzenberg
• Stage Name: Jeffrey Katzenberg
• Born: December 21, 1950
• Age: 74 years old
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Media Proprietor, Film Producer
• Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
• Parents: Walter Katzenberg (father), Anne Katzenberg (mother)
• Siblings: Marilyn Katzenberg
• Spouse: Marilyn Katzenberg
• Children: David Katzenberg, Laura Katzenberg
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $900 million

Early Life and Education

Jeffrey Katzenberg was born on December 21, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is 74 years old. He was born to parents Walter Katzenberg, a real estate developer, and his wife, a homemaker. He has an older sister named Marilyn Katzenberg. Jeffrey is of Jewish descent and practices Judaism.

He grew up in a supportive family environment in Los Angeles, where he pursued his education. Katzenberg attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied to become a film producer. However, he eventually left before graduating to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Career

Katzenberg began his political career as an assistant to New York Mayor John Lindsay. In 1975, he transitioned to the entertainment industry, joining Paramount Pictures as an assistant to Barry Diller.

At Paramount, he significantly revitalized the Star Trek franchise, leading to the production of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979. In 1984, Michael Eisner, then CEO of The Walt Disney Company, appointed Katzenberg as chairman of Walt Disney Studios.

During his tenure, Katzenberg oversaw a renaissance in Disney’s animated features, with successes like “The Little Mermaid” (1989), “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “Aladdin” (1992), and “The Lion King” (1994). These films marked a resurgence in Disney’s animation department and solidified the company’s dominance in the industry.

After leaving Disney in 1994, Katzenberg co-founded DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. At DreamWorks, he oversaw the production of successful animated films such as “Shrek” (2001), which won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, as well as “Madagascar” (2005) and “Kung Fu Panda” (2008).

In 2016, DreamWorks Animation was sold to NBCUniversal for $3.8 billion. Following the sale, Katzenberg launched Quibi, a short-form mobile video platform, in 2020. Despite initial hype, Quibi struggled to gain traction and ceased operations later that year.

Awards and Nominations

Throughout his career, Katzenberg has received several accolades:

• 2003: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.”
• 2009: Received the Visionary Award at the Saturn Awards.
• 2013: Honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (Honorary Oscar).
• 2017: Awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Personal Life

Jeffrey Katzenberg is married to Marilyn Katzenberg, and the couple has two children: David Katzenberg and Laura Katzenberg. He tends to keep his personal life private, though it is known that he has maintained a long-lasting and stable relationship with his family.

In terms of previous relationships, there is no public record of any significant past relationships before his marriage. Katzenberg stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm).

Net Worth

As of 2025, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s net Worth is estimated to be approximately $900 million. His wealth primarily stems from his successful career in the entertainment industry, including his tenure at Disney, co-founding DreamWorks, and the subsequent sale of DreamWorks Animation to NBCUniversal.

In addition to his work in film and animation, Katzenberg co-founded Quibi, a short-form video streaming service, though it faced challenges and ultimately shut down. His investments in media ventures and leadership roles in prominent entertainment companies have significantly contributed to his wealth.