Later Career
In 1980, Begelman returned to the production world and became CEO and president of MGM, but with the exception of Poltergeist, he was unable to repeat his success at Columbia. His apparent slump led to his departure from MGM before his four-year contract expired. Later he ran two smaller production companies, Sherwood Productions and Gladden Entertainment, where he had moderate successes with Mr. Mom (1983), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984), Mannequin (1987) and Weekend at Bernie's (1989). According to the makers of Buckaroo Banzai Begelman continued to be engaged in fraud: reporting inflated figures to investors but producing the films for much less to pocket the difference. By the mid-1990s, however, Begelman declared bankruptcy. Also released by Sherwood Productions during Begelman's tenure there was WarGames (which started production at MGM), Blame It on Rio, Get Crazy, and The Courageous. Gladden was a mix of his and his wife's first names Gladys and David, and the word "entertainment (i.e. Gladys and David Entertainment, GLADDEN).
In 1995, Begelman was found shot dead in a room at the Los Angeles Century Plaza Hotel at the age of 73. His death was ruled a suicide.
Begelman had one daughter, Leslie Belskie (née Begelman).
Read more about this topic: David Begelman
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