andy's story
andy's story
A lifelong
Beverly Hills resident
A lifelong
Beverly Hills resident
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Andy Licht's Biography
Andy Licht is a lifelong resident of Beverly Hills and is known for his longstanding contributions to the civic and cultural life of Beverly Hills.
Andy is an American film producer, screenwriter, civic commissioner, and real estate investor whose career spans more than four decades across entertainment, public service, and business.
Licht attended Hawthorne School in Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills High School, where his early interests in film and public service began to take shape. While in high school, he worked for U.S. Senator Alan Cranston, competed on the state champion tennis team, and served as editor of the Watchtower yearbook. He went on to earn an A.B. in Economics, graduating with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, before completing a Master of Fine Arts at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Licht was part of the inaugural graduating class of USC’s prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program, where he graduated cum laude. At just 23 years old, he was signed to an exclusive producing contract at Warner Bros., becoming one of the youngest producers in the studio’s history to do so.
Andy founded Licht Entertainment in 1981, a Beverly Hills–based production company recognized for developing ambitious and imaginative projects primarily with emerging artists. Licht’s film career includes work with Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros., and reflects a reputation for championing unconventional and high-concept material. Licht Entertainment has produced nine feature films (seven for theatrical release and two for television) with cumulative worldwide box office exceeding $500 million. His producing, executive producing, and writing credits include Waterworld (1995), The Cable Guy (1996), Idle Hands (1999), Inkheart (2008), Spinning Boris (2003), Little Monsters (1989), License to Drive (1988), and Doin’ Time on Planet Earth (1988), among others. He continues to develop new projects and has been recognized for discovering and mentoring writers and directors who remain influential in the industry. Licht continues to mentor graduate film students. In parallel with his entertainment work, Licht is an experienced real estate investor and manager, overseeing a portfolio of commercial and residential properties primarily in Southern California. His approach emphasizes long-term value, architectural preservation, and responsible development, including the restoration of historic properties.
Deeply committed to public service, Andy currently serves on the Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission. He previously served six years on the Planning Commission, twice as Chair, and Chair and Member of Traffic and Parking Commission. His civic work has influenced city policy on growth, design standards, transportation, and historic preservation. A member of the Beverly Hills Rotary Club, Licht supports numerous philanthropic causes, including arts education, Jewish communal organizations, and mental health advocacy within the entertainment industry, and he actively mentors emerging filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. Licht also created the young entertainment division of the Jewish federation.
Licht resides in Beverly Hills with his wife of 35 years, Lisa Licht. Together they raised their three children, Lucy, Daniel and Joey. All three children attended Beverly Hills schools from K-12.