Raised in Brooklyn

Started career at CBS Television in L.A.; reportedly fired for striking an audience member who applauded the announcement of the assassination of President John F Kennedy

Began career working in mailroom of William Morris talent agency (date approximate)

Became a junior agent at William Morris

Moved to Ashley Famous Agency as a music agent

Became an agent at Creative Management

Co-founded (with Elliott Roberts) talent management company for musicians he discovered and developed; first hit performer was Laura Nyro (date approximate)

Engineered sale of Nyro's publishing company, Tuna Fish Ltd., for $4 million; received half

Founded Asylum Records

President then chairman, Electra-Asylum Records; sold to Warner Communications (for a reported $7 million); also headed film production unit at Warner Communications

Named vice chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures

Diagnosed with cancer; later discovered to be mis-diagnosis

Named executive assistant to the chairman, Warner Communications

Formed Geffen Records (independent label) and Geffen Film Co.

Produced first Broadway play, "Master Harold...and the Boys"

Produced first feature, "Personal Best"

Produced first TV series, "Beetlejuice" (animated)

Sold Geffen Records to MCA

March 20 formed DGC (David Geffen Company) music

Came out as gay at a "Commitment to Life" benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles

Announced, along with former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, the forming of DreamWorks SKG, a new studio that would produce movies at a more cost efficient level than the major studios