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Who Knew

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About this listen

 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. Biographies & Memoirs Business Professionals & Academics

Critic reviews

"Media powerhouse Barry Diller, at 83, offers an articulate, humble, and utterly honest account of his varied life."
All stars
Most relevant
I’m a thirty something Brit who’s been employed by Mr Diller for over half a decade and shamefully didn’t know anything about him except he was very rich. As a film and tv lover I feel ashamed that technically I’ve been employed by this incredible titan for all these years and had no idea about the myriad contributions he’s directly made to humanity over his long and storied life. So thankful I read this, he has a fan in me for life. Great book with great lessons. Highly recommend.

Who knew indeed

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I decided to download this book because read an excerpt about John Travolta being hit on by Princess Margaret in a daily newspaper. Disco and royalty? I had to get it! This is so much more than just a collection of celebrity stories from Hollywood. It’s very poignant and an enduring love story between a homosexual man and a woman who is the absolute love of his life. Does that make sense? No but you can’t put Barry Diller in a box. His conscience isn’t unblemished. It’s clear he had to make huge financial decisions at times and lose friendships. But he seems to be an honest yet ruthlessly brilliant businessman. The fact that his “word” was broken in the later merger between Live Nation and himself seems to play on his mind. I really didn’t know about FOX and his dealings with Rupert Murdock. They were interesting. And I love the “no Arnie you can’t have your face on a billboard” story. It’s well read by the author which gives it extra authenticity. So does Diane VF speaking at times. Great memoir of a media visionary. Denise x

The Billionaire media risk taker

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Humanising, personal account of the travails of a media executive. I’ve always admired BD from afar without really understanding the man — this book does a good job of explaining his motivation, and the events that shaped him.

Enjoyable

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A really great book, Barry Diller is humble about his amazing success (and luck) in a truly significant career.

Amazing life and story

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An honest heartfelt story that is truly inspiring. A man with a moral compass who navigated an ocean of sharks. Loved the story and the story teller.

Honest

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