Frank Yablans Biography

Fast Facts

• Achieved early success with his sale of the hit film "Love Story" in 1970 and became president of Paramount Pictures the following year
• Worked as a salesman and marketing executive in his 20s at Warner Bros․, Filmways and Walt Disney
• Quote: "When I read the press, I smile a lot․ I think the press - with few exceptions - knows very little about how power really works․ So I read and smile․"
• Quote: "The problem is, it's only 10 percent of any interview that gets remembered ․․․ Usually it's the wrong 10 percent․"
• During his time as president of Paramount Pictures, he oversaw the development of the first two films in the "Godfather" trilogy as well as Sidney Lumet's "Serpico" and Peter Bogdanovich's "Paper Moon․"
• Was the founder of Promenade Pictures, which produced faith-based family entertainment like "Epic Stories of the Bible․"
• Best known as the former president of Paramount Pictures and as the writer and producer of "Mommie Dearest" and "North Dallas Forty․"
• As an independent film producer, he worked on "Silver Streak," "Congo" and "The Other Side of Midnight․"