Early Life and Education
Jeffrey Robert Lurie was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 8, 1951, to Jewish parents Morris and Nancy Lurie. His grandfather, Philip Smith, founded the General Cinema movie theater chain. Lurie attended Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. from Clark University, a master's degree in psychology from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in social policy from Brandeis University.
Rise to Success
Lurie's career began outside of sports, working in the film industry. He joined General Cinema Corporation in 1983 and later founded Chestnut Hill Productions in 1985, producing various films. In 1994, Lurie purchased the Philadelphia Eagles for $195 million. Under his ownership, the Eagles have become a prominent franchise, winning Super Bowl LII and Super Bowl LIX.
Key Business Strategies
Lurie has focused on innovation and community involvement, investing in state-of-the-art facilities like the NovaCare Complex and Lincoln Financial Field. He emphasizes diversity and attracts talent from various industries to improve the Eagles' operations. His leadership has led to the Eagles becoming a consistent presence in the NFL postseason.
Philanthropy
Lurie is a dedicated philanthropist, with a focus on autism research. He established the Eagles Autism Foundation in 2018, and in 2024, he donated $50 million to create the Lurie Autism Institute in partnership with CHOP and Penn Medicine.
