Barry Diller one of America’s most successful businessmen reveals himself here—his successes
failures and struggles—with surprising candor and intimacy in a memoir rich in Hollywood lore
and filled with business acumen. Writing in his singular voice Barry Diller delivers an
astute business memoir an unvarnished look at Hollywood a primer on media and a surprisingly
frank coming-of-age story. “I want to work in the mail room at William Morris.” So begins
Diller’s show business life. Diller did not aspire to be an agent nor was he a glove fit for
William Morris the legendary talent agency he describes as resembling a “Jewish Vatican.” But
he was a good assistant and student and took it all in. Before long Diller was offered a
job at ABC. His ascent was meteoric launching ABC TV’s Movie of the Week at age twenty-seven
becoming CEO of Paramount Pictures at age thirty-two and launching the Fox TV network at age
forty-four. Along the way Diller oversaw the production of classic films such as Saturday
Night Fever Raiders of the Lost Ark and Home Alone (a film he credits with saving Rupert
Murdoch’s career) and hit TV shows such as The Simpsons Married…with Children and Cops . He
programmed and developed by instinct—not by research or data. Diller’s media savvy changed
the course of American culture. His championing of Alex Haley’s Roots put long-form miniseries
on the map. He was never cowed by the talent—actors directors and producers—and worked with
them all. Indeed throughout his career Diller championed “creative conflict ” encouraging
argument in every business he managed (“I’ve never thought decision-making should be peaceful ”
he writes). Diller also recognized our digital future founding IAC and growing it into a
billion-dollar constellation of brands including Match Tinder and Expedia. Moving beyond
business Diller recounts his family life personal struggles and regrets his joyful marriage
to Diane von Furstenburg and where he has found fulfillment. Intimate candid and moving
Who Knew is a different kind of business memoir one that holds nothing back.
