Early Life
Dick Wolf was born in New York City on December 20, 1946. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1969. Before his prolific career in television, Wolf worked in advertising, where he created the slogan "You can't beat Crest for fighting cavities".
Rise to Success
Wolf transitioned from advertising to screenwriting, eventually moving to Los Angeles and getting three screenplays produced. His breakthrough came with his work on the television series "Hill Street Blues," where he received an Emmy nomination. He then went on to produce and write for "Miami Vice". The creation of "Law & Order" in 1990 marked a pivotal moment in his career. This series, along with its numerous spin-offs, established Wolf as a leading figure in television. Wolf expanded his television empire with the equally successful Chicago franchise, encompassing Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med, alongside the FBI franchise.
Key Business Strategies
Wolf's success is attributed to his focus on the procedural format, his ability to build successful franchises and his innovative deals with networks. The Law & Order franchise and other successful series have a guarantee that the network must pay the full amount of production costs even if it exceeds the original network license fee, turning all syndication revenue into pure profits for Wolf Entertainment. Wolf Entertainment, is one of the most profitable and prolific production companies in Hollywood history, producing around 200 episodes per year.
Philanthropy
Dick Wolf is involved in several philanthropic endeavors, including the Wolf Family Foundation. He founded the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation (MOXI). He is an Honorary Consul of Monaco.
