"The group has been together for over 20 years, and we're still as close today as we were then," Moonves said. "We've grown up together, we've matured together and we compete with each other."
Feltheimer and Sloan, who worked together at New World, have toyed with someday merging the two lions, MGM and Lionsgate. But Sloan acknowledges he first must make MGM matter again.
As for the naysayers, Moonves says it's unwise to bet against someone as determined as Sloan: "Harry likes to win."
claudia.eller@latimes.com
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Harry E. Sloan
Background
Born March 8, 1950, in Torrance. Father worked in the parts department at Douglas Aircraft; mother was a substitute teacher and helped found the first temple in the South Bay.
Family
Four children: two daughters from a former marriage who are 11 and 18; two sons, 17 and 20, who are the children of his current wife, Florence.
Education
1971: bachelor's in political science from UCLA
1976: law degree from Loyola Law School
Career highlights
1976: Founded entertainment law firm with Larry Kuppin
1983: Acquired New World Entertainment for $2 million
1985: New World's initial public offering
1986: Led New World's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment Group
1989: Sold New World for nearly $300 million, including debt
1990: Founded Scandinavia Broadcasting System
1993: SBS's initial public offering
1999: SBS became largest shareholder in Lionsgate
2005: Joined board of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., sold SBS for $2.6 billion, including debt, and was named MGM's chairman and chief executive.
Source: Los Angeles Times staff
