David Ladd

'David Ladd' (qv)'s professional career in Hollywood spans more than 40 years, beginning when he was a young boy performing in several films with his father, the legendary leading man 'Alan Ladd' (qv). In the years since his first role, he has gone on to become a teenage film star, a senior production executive at MGM, and the producer of several studio films. He earned a degree in business administration from the University of Southern California (USC).He first began working in production for ABC Television, producing movies and variety specials. He then moved to Columbia as a creative executive, before partnering with renowned producer 'John Veitch' (qv). Ladd's first solo producing credit on a motion picture was on the 'Wes Craven' (qv) thriller, _The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)_ (qv). Under his production banner, 'David Ladd' (qv) Films, he produced MGM's _A Guy Thing (2003)_ (qv), directed by 'Chris Koch' (qv) (starring 'Jason Lee' (qv) and 'Julia Stiles' (qv)); and _Hart's War (2002)_ (qv), the critically-acclaimed World War II courtroom drama (starring 'Bruce Willis' (qv), 'Colin Farrell' (qv) and 'Terrence Howard' (qv)). Previously, Ladd served as Executive Vice-President of production for MGM.During his nine years at the studio, he was instrumental in its resurgence, having supervised the development and production of numerous films, including _Get Shorty (1995)_ (qv) (starring 'John Travolta' (qv), 'Gene Hackman' (qv), 'Rene Russo' (qv), and 'Danny DeVito' (qv)); the courtroom thriller _Red Corner (1997)_ (qv) (starring 'Richard Gere' (qv)); _Mulholland Falls (1996)_ (qv); _The Cutting Edge (1992)_ (qv); and _Untamed Heart (1993)_ (qv), among others.::D. Kowalski (updated by R.M. Sieger)