David Victor Picker

David V. Picker, who as a top executive at three Hollywood film studios played a significant role in bringing the Beatles, James Bond and more to movie screens, died on Saturday April 20 2019 at his home in Manhattan. He was 87. His wife, Sandra Jetton Picker, said the cause was colon cancer. Mr. Picker began his career in the marketing department at United Artists and rose to become head of marketing and production at 31, a vice president by the mid-1960s and then, in 1969, president. Mr. Picker was president of Paramount’s motion picture division from 1976 to 1978, and in 1986 he returned to the studio ranks briefly, taking a job as president and chief operating officer of Columbia Pictures. In between his studio jobs he was an independent producer. David Victor Picker was born on May 14, 1931, in Manhattan to Eugene and Sylvia (Moses) Picker. A career in the movies seemed preordained. His grandfather, whom Mr. Picker would be named after, borrowed money and opened a nickelodeon in the Bronx. He built that into a small chain of theaters, then joined forces with a friend, Marcus Loew. Eugene Picker, his father, would become a top executive of the Loew’s theater chain. David Victor Picker also held top posts at Lorimar Pictures and Hallmark Entertainment. His marriages to Caryl Schlossman in 1954 and to Nessa Hyams in 1975 ended in divorce. In addition to his wife, whom he married in 1995, he is survived by a sister, Jean Picker Firstenberg; two daughters from his first marriage, Caryn Picker and Pam Picker; and a grandson.