Larry A. Thompson

Larry A. Thompson (born August 1, 1944)^[1] is a Hollywood film producer, personal manager, book packager, lawyer, author, and motivational speaker.

Larry A. Thompson
Thompson in 2012
Born	(1944-08-01)August 1, 1944 Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States
Occupation(s)	Film producer, talent manager
Years active	1970–present
Spouse	Kelly Thompson
Website	http://www.larrythompsonorg.com, http://www.larrythompsonforcongress.com

Early life and education

Thompson was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to Angelo and Anne (maiden name, Tuminello) Thompson.^[1] He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1968.^[2]

Career

Thompson started his entertainment-industry career as in-house counsel for Capitol Records. He was the youngest lawyer working for the label and negotiated separate contracts for each of the Beatles when the group broke up.^[3] By the 1970s, he was a founding partner in the entertainment law firm of Thompson, Shankman, Bond and Moss. For five years, he packaged movie and television projects and represented the careers of many prominent actors and performers. He also orchestrated the $300-million-dollar merger of Harrah's and Holiday Inn.^[4]

When the law partnership was dissolved, Thompson created the Larry A. Thompson Organization, a company devoted to film production and the personal management of talent.^[4]

Thompson and fellow lawyers Harry E. Sloan and Larry Kuppin subsequently purchased New World Pictures from Roger Corman for $16.5 million^[4] and immediately took the company public.^[4] He sold his New World equity position in 1983^[4] and refocused his attention to independent film production and talent management. He received the Vision Award in 1993.^[5][6]

Talent management

Thompson and his company have managed over 200 artists including Drew Barrymore, Jason Bateman, Justine Bateman, Linda Blair, Robert Blake, Bruce Boxleitner, Delta Burke, Cindy Crawford, William Devane, Donna Dixon, Shannen Doherty, Linda Evans, Steve Guttenberg, Merle Haggard, Scott Hamilton, Mariska Hargitay, David Hasselhoff, Iman, Sally Kellerman, Donna Mills, Tatum O'Neal, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, William Shatner, Sonny & Cher, Tori Spelling, Alan Thicke, Cicely Tyson, and Barry White.^[4][7]

Productions

Thompson's productions include:

• Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (air date August 17, 2008) on Lifetime Movie Network, was the highest-rated two-hour movie in that network's 10-year history.^[8] In 2009, the movie garnered six Imagen Awards nominations, of which it won two: one for Best Primetime Television Program and the other for Best Actor/Television – Hector Bustamante.^[9]
• Amish Grace (air date March 28, 2010), based on the true story of the 2006 Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, schoolhouse shooting, premiered on Lifetime Movie Network and became the highest-rated original movie on that network.^[10]
• Liz & Dick (air date November 28, 2012) is a Lifetime Television movie^[11] starring Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler, directed by Lloyd Kramer, and written by Christopher Monger, which chronicles the love story of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.^[12] It drew an audience of 3.5 million people and has been nominated for two Emmys, one each for hairstyling and makeup.^[13]
• Thompson produced William Shatner's one-man show on Broadway, entitled Shatner’s World: We Just Live in It...,^[14] which ran at The Music Box in New York from February 16 – March 4, 2012 and toured North America. The December 8, 2012 performance was filmed for a broadcast release.^[15]
• In 2013, Thompson began developing a project about the life of Oprah Winfrey, based on Kitty Kelley's Oprah: A Biography.^[16][17]
• In April 2013, Thompson optioned the screenplay Missing Mona Lisa, written by Mark Hudelson, "a slightly romanticized telling of the fact-based story" of how Vincenzo Peruggia stole Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, Mona Lisa, from the Louvre in 1913.^[18]

Book packager

Thompson is also a book packager. He has developed books with Joan Rivers, including a series of murder mystery novels titled The Red Carpet Murder Mysteries,^[19][20]

Motivational speaker

He is also a motivational speaker.^[4][21]

U.S. Congressional Candidate

Thompson is presently running for United States Congress in California's 37th congressional district.^{[22][23][24][25]} The Primary Election is March 3, 2020.

Personal life

As of early 2013, Thompson, his wife Kelly, their daughter Taylor, and son Trevor live in Beverly Hills, California.^[26]

Accolades

• His productions have received nominations for ten Emmy Awards^{[27][28][29][30]}
• nominations for six Imagen Awards^[31]
• nominations for two Prism Awards^[32]
• one nomination for the Humanitas Prize^[33]
• one nomination for a Golden Globe^[34]
• Vision Award, 1993^[5][6]
• Seymour Heller Lifetime Achievement Award^[35][36]
• National Conference of Personal Managers Hall of Fame Inductee ^[37][38][39]
• Thompson was knighted in Rome, Italy on May 20, 2017.^[40][41] Grand Prior, Prince Lorenzo de' Medici,^[42] sponsored Thompson, an American of Italian Heritage, into the Ordine di San Martino del Monte delle Beatitudini and presided at the Investiture Mass of Knighthood at the Chiesa di San Silvestro al Quirinale (Church of San Silvestro at Quirinal Hill)^[43]
• Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who^[44]

Board affiliations

As of 2014, Thompson serves on the Advisory Boards of Paulist Productions,^[45] The Delta Blues Museum, and Good News Communications.^[46]

Credits

TV-movies

• Mickey Spillane's Margin for Murder (1981)^[47]
• Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Murder Me, Murder You (1983)^[48]
• The Other Lover (1985)
• Convicted (1986)^[49]
• Intimate Encounters (1986)^[50]
• The Woman He Loved (1988)^[51]
• Original Sin (1989)^[52]
• Class Cruise (1989)^[53]
• Little White Lies (1989)^[54]
• Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter (1991)^[55]
• Broken Promises: Taking Emily Back (1993)^[56]
• Separated By Murder^[57]
• Face of Evil (1996)^[58]
• Replacing Dad (1999)^[59]
• And The Beat Goes On: The Sonny & Cher Story (1999)^[60]
• Murder in the Mirror (2000)^[61]
• A Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster (2003)
• Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (2008)
• Amish Grace (2010)
• Liz & Dick (2012)

Movies

• Crimes of Passion (1984)
• Fraternity Vacation (1985)
• Quiet Cool (1986)^[62]
• My Demon Lover (1987)^[63]
• Breaking the Rules (1992)

Television series

• The Jim Nabors Show (1978)^[64]
• Bring 'Em Back Alive (1982)

Television specials and pilots

• The Eagle and the Bear (1985)^{[citation needed]}
• Mann in the Middle (1989)^[65]
• Tonight at the House of Blues (1998)^{[citation needed]}
• Iron Chef USA: Showdown in Las Vegas (2001)
• Iron Chef USA: Holiday Showdown (2001)
• Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers (2009)^[66]
• Scott Hamilton: Return to the Ice (2010)^[67]
• Joan Rivers: Don't Start With Me (2012)^[68]
• Shatner's World...We Just Live In It (2013)^[69]
• 22nd Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards (producer) Reelz Channel, March 1, 2014.^[70]
• 23rd Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards (producer) Reelz Channel, February 21, 2015.^[71]
• 24th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards (producer) Reelz Channel, February 22, 2016.^[71]

Books

• Thompson, Larry A. (2004). Shine. McGraw-Hill.

References

1. "Larry A. Thompson Biography (1944–)". FilmReference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
2. . University of Mississippi. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
3. Sturgeon, Julie Sturgeon (October 7, 2001). "A Hard Day's Work". Los Angeles Times.
4. "Larry Thompson – Speaker Profile". Keynotespeakers.com. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
5. "RP International Vision Awards". Retrieved November 15, 2013.
6. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
7. "William Shatner, Joan Rivers Honor Talent Managers at Heller Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
8. "Taken in Broad Daylight Ranks as One of Lifetime Movie Network's Top-Rated Originals With Its Sunday, February 15, Premiere". AMediaVision Productions. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
9. "24th Annual Imagen Awards – Nominees & Winners". The Imagen Foundation/. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
10. . tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
11. "A Different Magnitude of Star". The New York Times. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
12. . TV by the Numbers. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012.
13. "Liz & Dick". Emmys.com.
14. "A Shakespearean Who Soared to Space Keeps Enjoying the Long Trip Back". The New York Times. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
15. "William Shatner's 'juices are stirring'". National Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
16. "'Liz & Dick' producer talks the risky business of hiring Lindsay Lohan". CNN. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
17. "Q&A: Producer Larry Thompson On 'Liz & Dick', Lindsay Lohan & Oprah". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
18. "'Missing Mona Lisa' Spec Optioned By Larry A. Thompson Entertainment". Penske Media Corporation/Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
19. Murder at the Academy Awards®. Simon & Schuster. February 3, 2009. ISBN 9781439123676. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
20. Men Are Stupid And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman's Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery. Simon & Schuster. December 30, 2008. ISBN 9781439123683. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
21. Wertheimer, Ron (August 11, 2003). "Television Reviews; The Cautionary Tale of Young Women: Vulnerable and Unwise". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
22. "Larry Thompson (California)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
23. "Certified List of Statewide Candidates" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
24. "Veteran Hollywood Manager/Producer Larry Thompson Throws Hat In The Ring For California Congressional Run". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
25. "Larry Thompson, Hollywood talent manager and film producer, is running for Congress in California's 37th District". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
26. "Biography: Larry A. Thompson". Larry A. Thompson Organization. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
27. "Emmys: The Complete Winners and Nominees List - The Wrap". Retrieved January 11, 2014.
28. "And The Beat Goes On: The Sonny And Cher Story - Academy of Television Arts and Sciences". Retrieved January 14, 2014.
29. "Lucy And Desi: Before The Laughter - Academy of Television Arts and Sciences". Retrieved January 14, 2014.
30. "The Woman He Loved - Academy of Television Arts and Sciences". Retrieved January 14, 2014.
31. "24th Annual Imagen Awards - Nominees & Winners". Retrieved January 11, 2014.
32. "Vice-depiction Prism noms announced - Variety". Retrieved January 12, 2014.
33. "Writers Guild Foundation Library Catalog". Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
34. "Browse Results - Golden Globe Awards Official Website". Retrieved January 12, 2014.
35. "William Shatner, Joan Rivers Honor Talent Managers at Heller Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
36. "Joan Rivers Shows Soft Side at Heller Awards". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
37. "Personal Managers Hall of Fame". Retrieved May 16, 2016.
38. "Veteran Manager Larry A. Thompson Reflects on His A-List Client List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
39. "Larry Thompson to Be Inducted Into Personal Managers Hall of Fame". TheWrap. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
40. "Veteran Manager Larry A. Thompson to Be Knighted in Rome". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
41. "Ordine di San Martino del Monte delle Beatitudini - INVESTITURA 25 MAGGIO 2017". Retrieved July 17, 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
42. . Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
43. "Ordine di San Martino del Monte delle Beatitudini - Info". Retrieved July 17, 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
44. "Larry A. Thompson Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who". Retrieved August 1, 2018.
45. . Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
46. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
47. "Mickey Spillane's Margin For Murder". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
48. "Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer: Murder Me, Murder You". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
49. "Convicted". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
50. "Intimate Encounters". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
51. "The Woman He Loved". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
52. "Original Sin". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
53. "Class Cruise". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
54. "Little White Lies". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
55. "Lucy & Desi: Before The Laughter". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
56. "Broken Promises: Taking Emily Back". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
57. "Separated by Murder". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
58. "Face of Evil". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
59. "Replacing Dad". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
60. "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
61. "Murder in the Mirror". The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
62. "Quiet Cool (1986)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
63. . Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
64. "Jim Nabors Show". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
65. . JoanSeverance.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
66. "Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers". Baseline Studio Systems via The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
67. . Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
68. . Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
69. . Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
70. "Variety". Retrieved March 11, 2014.
71. "Executive Producer of the Movieguide® Awards To Be Inducted into Personal Managers Hall of Fame". Retrieved May 16, 2016.

External links

• Larry A. Thompson at IMDb
• hollywood.com bio