Jeffrey Katzenberg (born December 21, 1950) is an
American businessman, film studio executive and
film producer. As a businessman, he is the
CEO of
DreamWorks Animation and is also known for his tenure as chairman of
The Walt Disney Studios from 1984 to 1994, during which the studio reinvigorated its
live-action and
animation department, as well as producing some of its biggest hits, including
The Little Mermaid,
Beauty and the Beast,
Aladdin, and
The Lion King. As a founder and CEO of
DreamWorks Animation, he has overseen the production of such animated franchises as
Shrek,
Madagascar,
Kung Fu Panda,
Monsters vs. Aliens and
How to Train Your Dragon. Katzenberg has also been involved in politics. With his active support to
Barack Obama, he was called as "one of Hollywood's premier political kingmakers and one of the
Democratic Party's top national fundraisers."