Over the weekend we learnt the sad news that David Picker died. At United Artists he was was part of the team instrumental in bringing 007 to the big screen.
Born on 14th May 1931 in New York City, Picker worked in the film industry for more than forty years as an executive and producer.
Picker started at United Artists in 1956, where he worked in advertising and publicity and by 1961 was an assistant to the president. IT was during this time that United Artists signed an agreement with Harry Saltzman and Cubby Broccoli to bring James Bond to the silver screen, starting with Dr No in 1962.
By the late 1960s, Picker was managing United Artists Records, and in 1969 was appointed chief operating officer and president of United Artists Corporation. He became CEO the following year.
Picker left United Artists in 1973 to form his own production company but later worked for Paramount, Lorimar and Columbia Pictures.
His memoir, Musts, Maybes, and Nevers: A Book About The Movies, was published in 2013. You can buy it from Amazon UK and Amazon.com.
You can read more about David Picker on MI6 HQ.
