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Donna Langley

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Donna Langley
BornMarch 1968
London, UK
OccupationFilm executive
TitleChairwoman and Chief Content Officer of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group
PartnerRamin Shamshiri
Children2

Dame Donna Langley-Shamshiri DBE (born 1968 in London, UK)[1][2] is a British film executive who is Chairwoman of Universal Studios and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Chief Content Officer.[3][4]

Career

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After moving to L.A and waitressing, Langley became an assistant to a talent manager. Shortly after, Langley met Michael De Luca who gave her a job as a production executive at New Line Cinema. In 2001, she became senior vice president of production at Universal Pictures. She was then promoted to Chair of Universal Pictures in 2013, Chair of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group in 2019, and Chair of NBCUniversal Studio Group and Chief Content Officer in 2023. Langley is one of the longest tenured Studio Heads in Hollywood history. [5]

In her time at Universal, Langley has overseen the film franchises Fast & Furious, Despicable Me, and Bourne.[6] She is known for cultivating strong relationships with filmmakers and writers. Langley backed Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, and his follow ups, Us and Nope.[7] Langley was also credited with recruiting director Christopher Nolan to Universal from Warner Bros. His movie Oppenheimer was added to a streak of successes for Langley in 2023, after M3GAN, Cocaine Bear, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[8]

Her work includes overseeing the global specialty division, Focus Features, as well as the animation studios Illumination and DreamWorks Animation, the latter being acquired by Universal in 2016.[6][9] Langley's role was expanded in 2023; as Chief Content Officer, she is not only responsible for overseeing Universal's film slate, but also the company's TV and streaming strategy.[7]

Throughout her career, she has supported mentorship opportunities for women.[10] Langley helped launch The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Film Mentorship program.[11] She also serves as an ambassador and board member for the nonprofit Vital Voices.[12]

Langley was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to film and entertainment.[13][14]

Recognition

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Forbes ranked her as the 57th most powerful woman in the world in 2023.[15] The Hollywood Reporter consistently ranks Donna among the most powerful women and executives in Hollywood, including labeling as "top female film executive" in 2024. She has also been listed as one of Time Magazine's most powerful people in the world. [16]

Personal life

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Langley was adopted, and was brought up on the Isle of Wight.[2] She attended Carisbrooke College, and was a pupil at Kent College in Canterbury.[17] She is married with two children, and lives in Los Angeles with her family.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ Donna Langley. In: bfi.org.uk, Access date October 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Dame Donna Langley, film studio executive". BBC. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Donna Langley". Forbes.
  4. ^ "Universal's Donna Langley Unveils Executive Team". The Hollywood Reporter. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  5. ^ Alexandra Cheney (26 January 2014). "Donna Langley's Star Rises With Enlarged Role at Universal Pictures". Variety. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  6. ^ a b Ramsay, Derek (7 October 2017). "Donna Langley". Variety. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  7. ^ a b Donnelly, Matt; Brent Lang (6 July 2023). "What Donna Langley's Promotion Means for the Future of NBCUniversal". Variety. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  8. ^ Lee, Chris (24 July 2023). "I am Become Barbenheimer, Destroyer of Box Office Records". Vulture. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Donna Langley | Universal Pictures | Leadership Team". Universal Pictures. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  10. ^ a b Forbes, Moira (20 December 2018). "Movie Mogul Donna Langley On Breaking Barriers And Box Office Records". Forbes. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Donna Langley". Global Ambassadors. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Donna Langley". Vital Voices. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  13. ^ "No. 62866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 2019. p. N23.
  14. ^ Ritman, Alex (13 July 2022). "Universal Boss Donna Langley Made a Dame by Prince Charles". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  15. ^ "The World's Most Powerful Women 2023". Forbes.
  16. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (4 December 2024). "The Hollywood Reporter's 2024 Women in Entertainment Power 100". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Variety500". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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External videos
video icon Donna Langley - Chairman of Universal Pictures interviewed by Madison Moellers, February 19, 2014
video icon Making it as a female movie mogul in Hollywood, Felicia Taylor, CNN, October 9, 2012


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