A Titan of Hollywood Law
In the high-stakes world of Hollywood, where fortunes are made and lost on the strength of a single deal, few names command as much respect as Harry M. Brittenham. Known to friends and colleagues as “Skip,” Brittenham was more than just an attorney; he was a master strategist, a visionary, and the architect of some of the most significant deals in entertainment history. His recent passing at the age of 83 marks the end of an era for an industry he profoundly shaped.
For over half a century, Brittenham was the quiet force behind the careers of Hollywood’s biggest stars and the formation of its most iconic companies. As the co-founder of the powerhouse law firm Ziffren Brittenham, he was the go-to dealmaker for anyone who mattered in the business, earning him the fitting title of “The Deal Maker.”
From Air Force to Attorney
Born the son of an Air Force fighter pilot, Brittenham’s early life was one of constant motion, moving from one military base to another. Following in his father’s footsteps, he attended the Air Force Academy and graduated in 1963. A future as a pilot seemed set until a squash racket accident permanently damaged his vision, making him ineligible for pilot training.
This twist of fate redirected his path. After spending four years negotiating contracts for the Air Force, Brittenham enrolled at the UCLA School of Law. It was here that he honed the skills that would later make him a legend, combining military discipline with a sharp legal mind that saw opportunities where others saw obstacles.
The Architect of the “Backend Deal”
Perhaps Brittenham’s most enduring legacy is his role in pioneering the “backend deal.” In an industry fixated on upfront salaries, he championed a revolutionary concept: talent and producers would take a smaller initial fee in exchange for a percentage of a project’s profits. This innovative structure gave artists a direct stake in their success and led to massive paydays for clients like Henry Winkler and Ted Danson.
This wasn’t just about making his clients rich; it was a fundamental shift in the power dynamics of Hollywood. By aligning the interests of talent with the studio, Brittenham created a model where everyone was invested in the project’s ultimate success, a practice that remains a cornerstone of entertainment negotiations today.
Building a Legal Dynasty: Ziffren Brittenham
In 1978, Brittenham joined forces with Ken Ziffren to form Ziffren Brittenham LLP. The firm quickly became the gold standard for entertainment law, a boutique powerhouse that consistently outmaneuvered larger, more established competitors. Their partnership was built on a shared vision and a healthy dose of competitive spirit; an early story tells of both men pursuing comedian Richard Pryor as a client, with Brittenham ultimately winning him over.
Under their leadership, the firm became a talent magnet, not just for actors and directors but for the brightest legal minds in the business. It was a place where telling the truth was paramount, a quality that distinguished Brittenham in a town often short on it. As he once said, “By telling the truth, and always telling the truth… clients learned to expect it.”
The Power Broker for Hollywood’s Elite
Brittenham’s client list was a who’s who of Hollywood royalty. He was the trusted advisor to Harrison Ford long before “Star Wars,” and he guided the careers of superstars like Eddie Murphy, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Willis. His influence extended beyond individual talent to the very structure of the industry itself. He was instrumental in Pixar’s initial deal with Disney, the complex split of DreamWorks into two separate entities, and the creation of animation giant Illumination Entertainment.
His ability to see the whole board was legendary. Harrison Ford once remarked, “What amuses me most about Skip is he often represents everyone in the deal. And, he does a really good job for everybody… I’ve always walked away from every negotiation and thought, ‘Jesus, how did he get that?’”
Beyond the Boardroom: A Man of Many Passions
Despite his immense success, Brittenham was a man of diverse interests who resisted being defined solely by his profession. He was a devoted family man who made a point to leave the office by 5 p.m. to be with his wife, actress Heather Thomas, and their children. He was also a world-class fly-fisherman who competed on the U.S. National Team and practiced the sport on six continents.
His love for nature translated into a deep commitment to environmentalism, serving on the board of Conservation International. In a surprising turn, he also tapped into his creative side, co-writing a science fiction graphic novel titled “Anomaly,” a project born from a childhood love of comics and a desire to show the world he was more than just a negotiator.
A Legacy of Integrity and Innovation
Harry “Skip” Brittenham leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the billion-dollar deals and the star-studded client list. He was a true original who reshaped the business of entertainment through a combination of brilliant legal strategy, unwavering integrity, and a profound belief that the industry should serve people, not the other way around.
He was a mentor to many, including the late Steve Jobs, and a bulldog for his clients when they needed one most. In a world of fleeting fame and shifting alliances, Skip Brittenham was a constant, a man whose word was his bond and whose impact will be felt for generations to come.
