Jeff Wald

Jeff S. Wald has been an innovative power in the entertainment business since 1964. Wald is a product of the famous William Morris Agency mailroom which produced David Geffen, Barry Diller, Jerry Weintraub, Ron Meyer and many others.

In 1967 Wald moved to Chicago and became the talent buyer for Mister Kelly’s, The London House, and the Happy Medium.

In 1968 Wald moved to Los Angeles under the auspices of Bill Cosby to work at building a management company for Campbell, Silver Cosby. The start up company signed an unknown Tiny Tim, as well as the Deep Purple with their first hit Hush, and the Turtles.

In late 1969 after Cosby closed his company Wald and Ron DeBlasio formed their own company and added George Carlin to their roster. Wald was responsible for talking George into changing his image and signed George to Flip Wilson’s Little David record label. George’s album was the label’s first platinum album.

In 1971 Wald obtained a record deal with Capitol Records for his wife Helen Reddy. They had married in 1966 and it took five years to get her a record deal.

Wald decided to go out on his own and devote all his time to building Helen Reddy’s career. During most of the seventies she was one of the biggest selling female artists of the seventies winning a Grammy for her iconic anthem I Am Woman one of her 14 hits and her first of four number ones.

Starting in 1974 Wald built his management company and managed Sylvester Stallone, Elliot Gould, Tom Skerrit, james Brolin, Chicago, Donna Summer, Crosby Stills and Nash, Flip Wilson, Paul Rodriguez, and Clint Black as well as many others.

In 1986 Wald became President of Barris Industries which then became Guber Peters. The company was bought by Sony and Wald stayed on until 1991.

Wald has produced 1600 hours of television which included award winning movies of the week, mini series, game shows, variety specials, scripted one hour dramas and talk shows.

These included Latin Nights for ABC, Helen Reddy Specials for NBC and ABC, Donna Summer specials, five years of the CBS James Brolin starrer Pensacola Wings of Gold. In addition four years of the Paul Rodriguez talk show for Univision, Four Kenny Rogers two hour specials for ABC, and a award winning Mike Tyson Special. A highly rated Elvis special for ABC as well as two years of King World’s Roseanne talk show. Wald was an Executive Producer of the Contender along with Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg which ran for four years.

Wald is also a promoter in the boxing business having promoted George Foreman’s last two fights as well as being a force in separating Mike Tyson from Don King. Wald also has promoted ex middle weight champion Sergio Mora, Peter Manfredo, Steve Forbes, K9 Bundrage all of whom have won championship belts. He also promotes Troy Ross Olympic Champion and Sakio Bika.

Wald is currently CEO of Aria Multimedia Entertainment whose company has produced a coffee table Michael Jackson book and is the publisher of the well reviewed coffee table book HIP HOP A CULTURAL ODYSSEY. The book was created and edited by Jeff’s son Jordan and photo edited by his wife Deborah.

Wald has been active in many charities and politics. Wald was a Jerry Brown delegate to the 1976 Democratic convention and a Kennedy delegate in 1980. Wald was appointed to a four year term by Jimmy Carter to serve on the board of the USO. He was appointed to the Board of Economic Development for the State of California by Jerry Brown. Wald also served 6 years as a Mayor Bradley appointee to the Organizing Committee for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Wald has served on the Board of Governors of Cedars Sinai Hospital, USC and the Betty Ford Center.

Wald was an active fundraiser for Jerry Brown as Attorney General of California as well as his recent victory as Governor.

Wald has two adult children (Traci and Jordan) from his marriage to singer Helen Reddy.

Wald has been married to celebrated photographer and photo editor Deborah since 1990 and the have a beautiful 13 year old daughter, Sarah. Wald also has a 13 year old granddaughter named Lily.