Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the mastermind behind billion-dollar blockbusters, including Top Gun, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bad Boys, Beverly Hills Cop, and the television shows CSI , The Amazing Race, and Fire Country . Bruckheimer shares insights into his detailed approach to filmmaking, the power of test screenings, and what it takes to consistently deliver crowd-pleasing entertain...
Jun 18, 2025•43 min•Season 2025Ep. 69
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Arnold Rifkin, the legendary talent agent who pioneered the concept of a total talent agency and helped build one of Hollywood's most recognizable action stars. From founding Triad Artists to leading William Morris's film division and producing blockbuster films alongside Bruce Willis, Rifkin has built careers, brokered deals, and produced films over the course of four decades. He shares candid...
Jun 05, 2025•46 min•Season 2025Ep. 68
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Scott Ross, a pioneering figure in the visual effects industry. As the former general manager of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Senior VP of LucasArts Entertainment, and co-founder of Digital Domain with James Cameron and Stan Winston, Scott Ross shares insights into the evolution of visual effects, from practical models to the digital revolution. His impressive portfolio includes iconic films l...
May 21, 2025•49 min•Season 2025Ep. 67
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger , host Kevin Goetz interviews Mike Marcus, whose impressive 57-year career spans from agency mailroom to MGM Pictures president to management company founder. In his early career as an agent, Marcus built an impressive client roster including Robin Williams, John Landis, and Sidney Pollack before transitioning into a top studio executive role and eventually launching the management division at Echo Lake Entertainment. Marcus w...
May 07, 2025•44 min•Season 2025Ep. 66
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Tony Sella, the legendary marketing executive behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie campaigns. During his decades at 20th Century Fox, Sella was the creative force behind unforgettable posters, trailers, taglines, and promotions for films including Avatar, X-Men, Independence Day, Bohemian Rhapsody , and nearly 1,000 others. He shares insights into his creative process, memorable marketing m...
Apr 16, 2025•49 min•Season 2025Ep. 65
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Shane Black, one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriters, who redefined action films with witty dialogue, dark humor, and unforgettable characters. From Lethal Weapon to The Nice Guys , Kiss Kiss Bang Bang , and Iron Man 3 , Shane discusses his journey from a self-described "oddball" to a filmmaking powerhouse. Pittsburgh Roots and Early Influences (02:55) Born in Pittsburgh, Black shares how his...
Apr 02, 2025•56 min•Season 2025Ep. 64
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes an industry titan-- film producer and studio executive Mike Medavoy. With a career spanning over five decades, Medavoy has been closely involved with over 300 feature films, with seven winning Best Picture Oscars. From agent to studio chief to producer, his remarkable journey from Shanghai to Hollywood has shaped some of cinema's most important films, including Rocky, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,...
Mar 19, 2025•40 min•Season 2025Ep. 63
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Chris Landon, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer known for films like Happy Death Day , Freaky , Disturbia , and most recently, Heart Eyes . Son of television legend Michael Landon, Chris has carved his own path in Hollywood, specializing in horror comedy or what he calls "feel-good horror." He candidly shares personal stories about his Hollywood upbringing, coming out, surviving kidn...
Mar 05, 2025•50 min•Season 2025Ep. 62
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with acclaimed producer David Permut, the visionary behind films like Face/Off , Hacksaw Ridge (Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), Dragnet , and most recently, Rustin . His films have garnered multiple Academy Award nominations, and he is known for his exceptional ability to discover new talent and bring challenging stories to the screen. From selling star maps as a teenager to executive produ...
Feb 19, 2025•47 min•Season 2025Ep. 61
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Elizabeth Gabler, known for transforming literary works into cinematic successes. From her early days as an agent's assistant to becoming president of Fox 2000 and now Sony 3000 Pictures, Gabler shares insights from her remarkable career developing hit films like Life of Pi, The Devil Wears Prada, Mrs. Doubtfire, Marley and Me , and Where the Crawdads Sing . Early Career and Love of Reading (01...
Feb 05, 2025•52 min•Season 2025Ep. 60
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director and producer Brad Furman, known for films like The Lincoln Lawyer, The Infiltrator, Runner Runner, The Take, and City of Lies . The episode opens with Furman reading a touching tribute letter he wrote after the passing of his friend, filmmaker John Singleton, setting the tone for an intimate conversation about perseverance, mentorship, and the evolution of his career. From Basketball to Film...
Jan 15, 2025•48 min•Season 2025Ep. 59
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with his good friend, mentor, and colleague, Catherine Paura, a pioneering force in entertainment research who co-founded National Research Group (NRG) in 1977. As an accomplished entrepreneur, Paura helped establish the foundation for modern movie research and marketing. From her humble beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood's most influential research experts, Paura shares insights from her caree...
Jan 01, 2025•51 min•Season 2025Ep. 58
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews legendary producer Brian Grazer. As co-founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard, Grazer's films and television shows have earned 47 Oscar nominations and 242 Emmy nominations, with his movies grossing nearly $15 billion globally. Known for hits like A Beautiful Mind (which won him the Academy Award for Best Picture), Apollo 13 , and Friday Night Lights . During the conversation, Grazer open...
Dec 18, 2024•44 min•Season 2024Ep. 57
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews David Friendly, whose remarkable career transition from journalism to film production led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture with Little Miss Sunshine . David worked with industry giants like Ron Howard and Brian Grazer before establishing himself as a successful producer. His producing credits include Courage Under Fire, Dr. Dolittle, Big Momma's House, Laws of Attraction , and the hi...
Dec 04, 2024•55 min•Season 2024Ep. 56
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Gary Lucchesi, the acclaimed producer and former President of the Producer’s Guild of America. From his early days as a talent agent at William Morris to his tenure as President of Production at Paramount Pictures, Gary has been a driving force behind numerous hit films. As a producer, his credits include Primal Fear, Million Dollar Baby, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Runaway Bride, among many othe...
Nov 20, 2024•52 min•Season 2024Ep. 55
Send Kevin a Text Message (Interview recorded Aug 14, 2024 and released Nov 6, 2024. George Folsey Jr. died on December 29th, 2024 at the age of 85. Thank you, George, for all that you gave to this industry--you will be missed.) In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with George Folsey Jr., the legendary film editor and producer whose illustrious career spans over five decades. Folsey Jr. has collaborated with acclaimed directors like John Landis, Eli Roth, and...
Nov 06, 2024•43 min•Season 2024Ep. 54
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Susan Cartsonis, a renowned producer and former studio executive known for championing women's stories in Hollywood. From 20th Century Fox to independent producing, Susan has been behind hits like What Women Want, Where the Heart Is , Aquamarine, Sitting in Bars with Cake , and True Sprit . She shares her journey in the film industry, her passion for storytelling, and her commitment to bringi...
Oct 16, 2024•57 min•Season 2024Ep. 53
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Spring Aspers, the Grammy-nominated President of Sony Pictures Music Group. With a career spanning from intern to President, Spring has become a powerhouse in the film music industry. Her work on blockbuster soundtracks like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has earned her critical acclaim and a Grammy nod. As the executive behind numerous hit movie soundtracks and a champion for emerging art...
Oct 02, 2024•37 min•Season 2024Ep. 52
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Hollywood power couple Paula Wagner and Rick Nicita. Wagner has worked in the top ranks of the entertainment industry as a talent agent, studio executive, and producer. She co-founded Cruise/Wagner Productions with Tom Cruise, producing blockbuster hits like the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. Nicita worked as a successful talent agent for 5 decades before turning to production and consultat...
Sep 18, 2024•53 min•Season 2024Ep. 51
Send Kevin a Text Message In this special 50th episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews one of Hollywood's most successful and versatile directors, Ron Howard. His extraordinary career spans over six decades, starting as a child actor including roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days before emerging as a director at the age of 23. Howard's directorial achievements include critical and commercial successes such as Splash, Cocoon, Parenthood, Apollo 13, A Beautiful M...
Sep 04, 2024•50 min•Season 2024Ep. 50
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger , host Kevin Goetz sits down with a trailblazing figure in the entertainment industry, Cheryl Boone Isaacs. As a public relations and marketing executive, Cheryl has worked on marketing campaigns for over 300 films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind , Forrest Gump , and The King's Speech . As the first African American and first person of color to serve as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
Aug 21, 2024•44 min•Season 2024Ep. 49
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger , host Kevin Goetz interviews the directing, producing, and writing team of Will Speck and Josh Gordon. This talented duo has made their mark across various media, directing feature films such as Blades of Glory, Office Christmas Party , and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile . They've also created iconic commercials, including the Geico caveman and gecko campaigns, and ventured into television with their animated series Hit-Monkey on Hulu...
Aug 07, 2024•45 min•Season 2024Ep. 48
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger , Kevin Goetz sits down with DeVon Franklin, film and TV producer, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and former studio executive. Franklin is known for his work on inspirational films such as Breakthrough, Miracles from Heaven, and Flamin' Hot, as well as the BET series Kingdom Business . With a unique blend of faith, business savvy, and creative vision, Franklin has bridged the gap between mainstream entertainment and...
Jul 17, 2024•46 min•Season 2024Ep. 47
Send Kevin a Text Message In Part 2 of this 2-part episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with the iconic Sharon Stone to discuss her journey through Hollywood, her experiences with fame, and her philanthropic endeavors. Stone shares personal stories about her rise to stardom, her approach to acting and producing, and lessons she has learned along the way. Basic Instinct (00:53) With the premiere of Basic Instinct at Cannes, Sharon Stone went from being a working actre...
Jul 03, 2024•42 min•Season 2024Ep. 46
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," Kevin Goetz sits down with his longtime friend, the legendary actress Sharon Stone. Sharon shares intimate stories about her upbringing, her journey into modeling and acting, and the challenges she has faced in the entertainment industry. Humble Beginnings (2:00) Sharon discusses her upbringing in the small farming community of Meadville, Pennsylvania, where her family struggled financially. A Painful Childhood Lesson (9:12...
Jun 19, 2024•33 min•Season 2024Ep. 45
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," Kevin Goetz sits down with director and producer, Joseph McGinty Nichol, better known as McG. They discuss McG's journey in the entertainment industry, starting with music videos and leading to his directorial debut with Charlie's Angels , which had, at the time, the highest-grossing opening weekend for a directorial debut. Through his production company, Wonderland Sound and Vision, McG has overseen the production of films...
Jun 06, 2024•46 min•Season 2024Ep. 44
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," Kevin Goetz sits down with Greg Foster, former CEO of IMAX Entertainment and current owner of the entertainment and media consulting firm, Foster + Crew. Foster grew up immersed in the world of Hollywood, with a father who was a successful film producer. This early exposure to the industry laid the foundation for Foster's career. From his childhood memories of rubbing elbows with Hollywood royalty, to his pivotal role in th...
May 15, 2024•48 min•Season 2024Ep. 43
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz engages in an insightful conversation with Bill Block, a renowned agent, executive producer, and former studio head. As a producer, Block played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking success of The Blair Witch Project. Block’s other films include the Oscar-nominated The Holdovers, Bad Moms , the critically acclaimed Fury , and the upcoming film Here starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wrigh...
May 01, 2024•46 min•Season 2024Ep. 42
Send Kevin a Text Message (Recorded December 2023) In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with veteran producer Carol Baum, whose impressive career includes working with Hollywood icons such as Dolly Parton, Barbara Streisand, Robert De Niro, Zendaya, and Steve Martin. Carol shares stories and insights from her decades in the film industry, discussing her work on memorable films like "Father of the Bride," "The Good Girl," "Dead Ringers," and "Flyaway Home." Sh...
Apr 17, 2024•48 min•Season 2024Ep. 41
Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Melva Benoit, founder and president of the Marian Dupree Group. A trailblazer in research and consumer insights, Benoit has held senior executive positions in major media companies including Viacom, Disney, Turner, NBC Universal, and Fox. Together, they delve into her rich background in television market research, discussing her unique insights and experiences in the entertainment industry. B...
Apr 04, 2024•45 min•Season 2024Ep. 40
