Donna Langley
Dame Donna Langley-Shamshiri  (born 1968 on the Isle of Wight, UK) is a British film executive who is Chairman of Universal Pictures and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Chief Content Officer. She was profiled in Varietys "Power of Women" issue in 2014.

Career
Langley began her career as a production executive at New Line Cinema. In 2001, she became senior vice president of production at Universal Pictures.

In her time at Universal, Langley has overseen the films Fast & Furious, Despicable Me, and Bourne. She is known for cultivating strong relationships with filmmakers and writers. Langley backed Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, and his follow ups, Us and Nope. Langley was also credited with recruiting director Christopher Nolan to Universal from Warner Bros. His movie Oppenheimer was added to a streak of successes for Langley in 2023, after M3gan, Cocaine Bear, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.  

Her work includes overseeing the global specialty division, Focus Features, as well as Illumination and DreamWorks Animation, the latter being acquired by Universal in 2016. Langley's role was expanded in 2023; as Chief Content Officer, she is not only responsible for overseeing Universal's film slate, but also the company's TV and streaming strategy. 

Throughout her career, she has supported mentorship opportunities for women. Langley helped launch The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Film Mentorship program. She also serves as an ambassador and board member for the nonprofit Vital Voices.

Langley was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to film and entertainment.

Personal life 
Langley is married with two children, and lives in Los Angeles with her family.

References

External links

 Donna Langley on universalpictures.com
 
 

1968 births
20th-century American businesspeople
20th-century American businesswomen
21st-century American businesspeople
21st-century American businesswomen
American chairpersons of corporations
American film studio executives
American women business executives
British businesspeople
British emigrants to the United States
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Living people
NBCUniversal people
Universal Pictures