When Universal’s Ron Meyer Speaks, We Listen

We really enjoyed this article on a speech by one of showbiz’s truly good guys.

No, no, not ironic. Seriously.

Ron Meyer To UCLA Showbiz Grads: “You Don’t Have To Be An Asshole To Succeed”

By THE DEADLINE TEAM

Universal President and COO Ron Meyer this afternoon made an expletive-laced commencement speech to the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Class of 2012. He told the graduating students that the best way to get ahead in showbiz is to ask questions. “Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups,” he told the audience. Twice. The longtime studio head also pointed out that despite the cliches “You don’t have to be an asshole to succeed.” He also stressed that finding an agent is the single most important thing a new graduate can do. Ask everyone you meet. “Just don’t ask me,” he warned. The ceremony was dedicated to the school’s founding dean and Oscar ceremony producer Gil Cates. The commencement also honored directors Penelope Spheeris and Shirley Jo Finney with distinguished alumni awards.

Author: LB

A legendary figure in the television writing and production world with a career going back to the late ’60s, Larry Brody has written and produced hundreds of hours of American and worldwide television and is a consultant to production companies and networks in the U.S. and abroad . Shows written or produced by Brody have won several awards including - yes, it's true - Emmys, Writers Guild Awards, and the Humanitas Award. View all posts by LB

One thought on “When Universal’s Ron Meyer Speaks, We Listen”

“You don’t have to be an asshole to succeed…” Yet, “Finding an agent is the single most important thing…”
Why am I laughing? And am I the only one? gs