THE BIZ
There are only two sure things in Hollywood: ego and taxes. Although celebrities grumble that the tax advantages of forming their own production company aren’t as good as they used to be, most admit that whether you’re a big box office draw or just a familiar face on prime time, you’re nobody in this town until you have a phone, an office and several projects in development. Here’s just a few of the hundreds of stars-turned-CEOs:
* Kim Basinger, Mighty Wind Productions, established two years ago. A lot of projects in development.
* Corbin Bernsen, president of Team Cherokee Entertainment (named after his mother, who’s part Cherokee, and his theory that everyone works together as a team), established 18 months ago. Completed projects include “Theater of the Night,” a touring theater company.
* James Coburn, president of Tango Productions, established three years ago. Developing a film based on “The Mists of Avalon” by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
* Johnny Depp, Scaramanga Productions. No projects completed, but the answering machine is on.
* Robert Guillaume, Longridge Productions, formed five years ago. No projects produced, but a whole lot of developing going on.
* Daryl Hannah, Girlie Pictures, established two years ago. Nothing in the can.
* Marriette Hartley, Maraday Productions, formed with Arlene Dayton in 1981. Has completed a TV series and four movies of the week; none have aired. Working on “Breaking The Silence,” Hartley’s life story.
* Bruce Jenner, Wallach Enterprises, established 10 years ago with George Wallach. Completed projects include “Grambling’s White Tiger” and “The Stealer and Pittsburgh Kid,” both NBC movies of the week, and “Seoul ‘88,” a series of vignettes from the ’88 Olympics.
* Angela Lansbury, Corymore Productions (named after a little village in Ireland), founded two years ago with her family. Produced “Positive Moves,” the book and video that promote Lansbury’s healthful way of life. Developing a TV series, “Slice of Life,” a comedy and “The Murder of My Aunt,” a TV movie that her son Anthony will direct.
* John Larroquette, Port Street Films, named after the street in New Orleans, established two years ago. Just completed “Good Enough To Win,” an NBC movie of the week. Writing two scripts and has the rights to several obscure books.
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