Sidney Sheinberg distinguished himself as a durable and powerful studio executive, long with MCA/Universal where he served as president and COO from 1973 until its 1995 sale to Edgar Bronfman Jr. Under his stewardship, Universal released the highest grossing films of each of the last three decades: "Jaws" in 1975; "E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial" in 1982 and "Jurassic Park" in 1993, all helmed by his illustrious protege Steven Spielberg whom Sheinberg helped get started in the film industry.

Formerly a lawyer and an academic affiliated with UCLA's School of Law, Sheinberg joined the legal