HAUTE 100: Jennifer Aniston, Judd Apatow, Dan Bane, Steve Bing and more

Jennifer Aniston

CATEGORY: Entertainers

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Nearly 8 years after Friends’ series finale, Jennifer Aniston is still one of the hottest actors around and is currently ranked by Forbes as the third highest paid actress in Hollywood. She’s received numerous awards including both an Emmy and Golden Globe. In 2005, Aniston became the first-ever GQ Woman of the Year. She has also appeared on People’s annual list of “The Most Beautiful” every year since 1995 and is currently dating Justin Theroux.

Judd Apatow

CATEGORY: Entertainers

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The slightly skewed mastermind behind hits like Bridesmaids, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, The Forty Year Old Virgin and Pineapple Express, among others, is a relatively new haute-lister, but one that has firmly earned the title. And in the land of movies, Apatow sits high upon the dirty-comedy throne.

Dan Bane

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Trader Joe’s

INDUSTRY: Supermarkets

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is the chairman and CEO of Trader Joe’s, the alternative grocery store that despite its low-price mentality, earns billions in sales every year. Bane started with the company in 1998 as the president of Trader Joe’s West and was promoted to CEO in 2001. He brought the wildly popular Charles Shaw wine to the supermarket – Two Buck Chuck – which they sell more than 13 million cases of each year.

Steve Bing

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Shangri-La Entertainment

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s a successful writer, director, producer and financier. But where the real estate development heir really makes his mark is as one of the nation’s top donors to Democratic and progressive causes. He donated $49.5 million on behalf of Prop 87, the oil tax initiative.

Ruth and Jake Bloom

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal LaViolette Feldman Schenkman & Goodman, LLP

INDUSTRY: Art/Law

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s one of the most influential lawyers in the entertainment industry; she ran the Ruth Bloom Gallery in Santa Monica and still maintains many of her high-profile contacts. His firm has represented some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as James Caan. Together, they have one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the country.

Scott Boras

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Boras Corporation

INDUSTRY: Sports

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s a former major league baseball player, who once played for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, and is currently the owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach. His company represents about 175 MLB players, and Boras himself is credited with some of most famous record-setting contracts of all time, including Barry Bonds, Bernie Williams and Alex Rodriguez.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen

CATEGORY: Power Couples

INDUSTRY: Athletics/Fashion/Modeling

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s been the star NFL quarterback of the New England Patriots since 2000 and has set the record for the most touchdown passes in a regular season, among his many accomplishments. In 2010, he signed a four-year $72 million contract with the Patriots, which makes him the highest-earning player in the league. She’s been ranked Forbes’ top-paid model in the world for the past five years, making more than $25 million last year alone and is currently the 16th richest woman in Hollywood. The Victoria’s Secret alum has recently starred in campaigns for brands like Versace, True Religion, Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli. The power couple has one son, Benjamin.

Donald Bren

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Irvine Company

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

An American real estate mogul and chairman of the Irvine Company, a highly successful private real estate company, Bren is responsible for some of the most beautiful neighborhoods on the West Coast. He is the master builder and designer in Orange County, where he developed half of Newport Beach. In March 2009, Bren made The Sunday Times’ “Green Rich List” for donating $20 million to UCSB’s School of Environmental Science. The conservationist has donated 50,000 acres of land to the O.C. to be used for the Irvine Ranch Preservation. In Fall 2011, the Irvine Company published a coffee table book about the 50,000 acres of Open Space on the Irvine Ranch called “Southern California Coastal Mountains to the Sea.”

Eli and Edythe Broad

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Kaufman & Broad

INDUSTRY: Development/ Manufacturing

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Broad made his fortune with his real estate company, Kaufman & Broad, and then founded financial company SunAmerica, where he served as CEO. He is actively involved in revitalizing L.A.’s downtown area and is an avid supporter of enriching the city’s cultural life. The Broads created a family foundation in the 1960s to support their charitable interests and causes. The Broad Foundations, which include The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and The Broad Art Foundation, have assets of approximately $2.5 billion.

Kobe Bryant

CATEGORY: Athletes

COMPANY: L.A. Lakers

INDUSTRY: Basketball

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The widely respected shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers will go down in history as one of the greatest players ever in the NBA. After earning the Finals MVP Award two years in row, the now five-time NBA champ was recently honored with the All-Star MVP award for the fourth time. Aside from his super star status, this pro-athlete is also an active philanthropist and is the official ambassador for After-School All-Stars, a non-profit organization that provides after-school programs to children.

Ronald Burkle

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Yucaipa Companies

INDUSTRY: Investing

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This California native got his start in business as a bagboy in his father’s grocery store. He started his fortune by buying and selling supermarket chains and soon after created his private equity firm, Yucaipa, which invests in retail, manufacturing and distribution. The company has invested in big names such as the popular retail brand, American Apparel. According to Forbes, this business mogul has an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion.

Dr. Jerry Buss and Jeanie Buss

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: L.A. Lakers

INDUSTRY: Sports

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Under his ownership, the Lakers have won 10 NBA titles, made it to the finals 16 times and won almost 70 percent of their games, making Buss one of the most successful owners in the NBA. His daughter, Jeanie, is the executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers and girlfriend of former Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson.

James Cameron

CATEGORY: Originators

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This director’s name is synonymous with big blockbuster hits like The Terminator, Spider-Man and Titanic, the latter of which raked in some $1.8 billion worldwide and took home 11 Oscars, including “Best Picture”. In 2009, Cameron proved once again that he can do no wrong with what became the Avatar phenomenon; the movie grossed $2.7 billion worldwide and is still ranked as one of the largest grossing films of all time.

Rick Caruso

CATEGORY: Originators

COMPANY: Caruso Affiliated

INDUSTRY: Real Estate Development

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As L.A. Business Journal’s “Developer of the Year,” and a past president of the Police Commission, Caruso is one the most influential members of the Los Angeles community. He is the developer of unique shopping attractions like The Grove, the Americana at Brand and other retail-entertainment projects that have transformed neighborhoods and changed the shopping landscape. Caruso is also involved with Para Los Niños, which provides education and child development services to neighborhoods in Southern California. The organization renamed one of its child development centers the Tina and Rick Caruso Child Development Center in his honor.

Alan Casden

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Casden Properties LLC

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This self-made accountant-turned-developer billionaire is a builder of multifamily residential properties and high-density real estate. As CEO and Chairman of Casden Properties LLC, he has become one of the most prestigious names in urban development; they recently opened a 276-unit rental development in Burbank and an apartment complex in West Hollywood is next on the to-do list.

Michael and Eva Chow

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Mr. Chow Restaurant

INDUSTRY: Cuisine

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s the brain behind the trendy Mr. Chow restaurants; she’s by his side lending her creativity to conceive the design of each location. Their authentic Chinese cuisine was first introduced in London in 1968; outposts in New York, then Beverly Hills, Vegas and Miami followed.

George Clooney

CATEGORY: Entertainers

COMPANY: Smokehouse Pictures

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s been Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor for as long as we can remember, but the superstar is known not only for his dashing good looks and acting abilities, but also for his social and liberal political activism. His efforts paid off with public recognition when he was honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. His face continues to grace the movie screen in box office and film festival hits like The Ides of March and The Descendants.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

CATEGORY: Entertainers

COMPANY: Cruise/Wagner Productions

INDUSTRY: Film/Fashion

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is a prolific actor, one of the world’s most powerful celebrities and an accomplished producer who has greenlight authority at United Artists. She has appeared in The Ice Storm, Batman Begins, Mad Money, and her latest comedic venture, Jack and Jill. Holmes, a style icon, has also been the face of many ad campaigns, including Miu Miu, Ann Taylor, and most recently, H.Stern Jewelry. Together, they bring in $33.5 million, according to Forbes. The couple has one daughter together, Suri, also a mini star in her own right.

Philippe Dauman

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Viacom

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s been with the media conglomerate company since 1987 and has been President and CEO for Viacom since 2006. In 2009, under Dauman’s charge, Viacom launched the Get Schooled education initiative with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an effort to raise awareness of the crisis in America’s public schools. This educationally minded haute-lister is also on the board of the KIPP Foundation and the Board of Trustees and Dean’s Council of Columbia University School of Law.

Jeffrey Deitch

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Museum of Contemporary Art

INDUSTRY: Art

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The Harvard MBA graduate and ex-vice president of Citibank is now a central figure in the art world, dealing in modern and contemporary art and serving as an art advisor to private and institutional art collectors. This former New York City gallerist was appointed as the Museum of Contemporary Art’s director, making him the first art dealer to run a major American museum.

Johnny Depp

CATEGORY: Actor, Producer, Musician, Screenwriter, Director

COMPANY: Infinitum

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: In what can be a fickle industry, this power player has some serious staying power.  He rose to fame in the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street and has since earned a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild award, and proved to be the unofficial authority of complex historical and fantasy roles.  Box office sensations to his credit include Sleepy Hollow, Pirates of the Caribbean series,  Public Enemies and seven Tim Burton films.

Leonardo DiCaprio

CATEGORY: Entertainers

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

When it comes to films, this talented actor sure knows how to pick them, or rather, they pick him. DiCaprio went from America’s heartthrob to America’s smartest and most versatile actor, starring in movies like Shutter Island and Inception. In addition to his many public accolades, he won a Golden Globe for “Best Actor” for his performance in The Aviator.  DiCaprio has also taken an interest in both producing and directing films and served as the Executive Producer for this year’s box office hit The Ides of March.

Robert Downey, Jr.

CATEGORY: Entertainers

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s known as Hollywood’s comeback kid, stemming from several major career comebacks. In particular, he made a comeback in 2008 with an Oscar-nominated performance in Tropic Thunder and playing Tony Stark in Iron Man, a role that he reprised in Iron Man 2 last year. He reportedly raked in around $33 million in 2010 with Hollywood flicks like the Sherlock Holmes sequel and Due Date.

Gustavo Dudamel

CATEGORY: Thinker

COMPANY: Los Angeles Philharmonic

INDUSTRY: Music

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: He is the Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Music Director of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra, and Principal Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony.  He splits his time as a conductor between the U.S., Sweden, and Venezuela, but also guest conducts with the world’s greatest orchestras, invigorating audiences from all ends of the earth.

Ari Emanuel

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: WME

INDUSTRY: Talent

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: As the founder of Endeavor Talent Agency and now co-chief executive of WME, the largest talent agency in the world, this super agent now represents some of the top names in the entertainment industry and is said to be the agent who the TV show Entourage’s Ari Gold is based on.

Kevin Feige

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Marvel Studios

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He began working on Marvel movies in 2000 as an associate producer on X-Men. The now-President of Production for Marvel Studios, Feige was behind the Spider Man trilogy, Iron Man 1 and 2 and The Incredible Hulk.

Alan Fuerstman

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Montage Hotels

INDUSTRY: Hospitality

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is founder and CEO of Montage Hotels, a five-star resort company with landmark locations in Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills. In 2010, his company opened Montage Deer Valley, a luxury ski resort in Utah. Fuerstman has been publicly recognized for his business and hospitality excellence with accolades such as the “One to Watch” award under Virtuoso’s “Best of the Best” Hotel Awards.  This successful businessman also donates his time to good causes and serves on the Board of Trustees for Gettysburg College, the Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management’s Advisory Board and the Resort Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

David Geffen

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: DreamWorks SKG

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Geffen is an American record executive, film producer, theatrical producer and philanthropist. He first founded Asylum Records in 1970 followed by Geffen Records, which signed both Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses. He then moved on to start entertainment boutique DreamWorks with partners Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, eventually selling it to Viacom for $1.5 billion. This Hollywood mogul donates millions of dollars each year to various charities and non-profit organizations and is worth approximately $5.5 billion.

Frank Gehry

CATEGORY: Originators

COMPANY: Gehry Partners, LLP

INDUSTRY: Architecture

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This Pritzker Prize-winning architect sits at the helm of Gehry Partners, LLP. Gehry is perhaps most famous for his design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, but Los Angeles residents know him for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which opened in 2003 and was quickly recognized as perhaps his greatest work, not only for the originality of its design, but for its functionality. It’s a symbol of downtown Los Angeles as a center of culture.

Alec Gores

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Gores Group

INDUSTRY: Private Equity

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This haute-lister is the founder, chairman and CEO of The Gores Group, an extremely lucrative private-based equity firm that specializes in acquiring multi-million dollar businesses. Over the years they’ve acquired many notable businesses such as Alliance Entertainment, which is the largest wholesale distributor of CDs, DVDs and video games in the U.S. The company also acquired Big Strike, Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of casual and career junior apparel.

Michael Govan and Katherine Ross

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: L.A. County Museum of Art/Gucci Group

INDUSTRY: Art/Fashion

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: He was the president and director at Dia Art Museum in New York City before arriving in L.A., where he is the director of the L.A. County Museum of Art. She is a prominent figure in the fashion corporate world, and has acted as the Senior Vice President of Communications for LVMH North America, Prada and as a U.S. consultant for Balenciaga. Together, this duo is the epitome of haute.

Betty Graham

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Coldwell Banker

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This haute-lister is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Coldwell Banker is the country’s longest running real estate company. Since joining the company in 2005, Graham has overseen more than 50 sales offices and 3,800 sales associates in Southern California.

William H. Gross

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: PIMCO

INDUSTRY: Finance

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s a chief investment officer and legendary bond investor. The co-founder of PIMCO is one of the financial geniuses of our time and has authored several books.

Bert Fields and Barbara Guggenheim

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Greenberg Glusker Guggenheim, Asher Associates

INDUSTRY: Law/Art

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He represented a plethora of A-list celebrities, such as John Travolta, Dennis Hoffman and George Lucas. His wife is a celebrated art consultant at Guggenheim, Asher Associates, one of the world’s leading art consultancies. She has a portfolio of her own high-profile clients such as Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise.

Mohamed Hadid

CATEGORY:  Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Hadid Development

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: In 2010, he made the staggering $72 million sale of Le Belvedere, a palatial home in Bel Air. Hadid has been influential in the real estate and development business for more than 30 years and has built unique offices and residential developments in Washington D.C. He is also the former owner of The Ritz-Carlton Hotels. This is one haute-lister to watch.

Tom Hanks

CATEGORY:  Actor, producer, writer, director

COMPANY: Playtone Productions

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: He’s an Academy Award winning actor with a dynamic list of professional talents and roles—both on and off screen—in some of the most highly acclaimed films of modern history. Playtone, his film and television production company and record label is behind films like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Catch Me If You Can, and The Green Mile.

Hugh Hefner

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Playboy Enterprises

INDUSTRY: Publishing

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This 85-year-old spearheaded America’s sexual revolution and built the Playboy Empire from the ground up, and is still going strong. He started out as a copywriter for Esquire magazine, and since his success has been featured in the magazine numerous times. With one of the most popular publications in the world, spin-off TV shows and lots of beautiful girlfriends, it’s no wonder he’s the envy of so many men.

David Heil

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: David August, Inc.

INDUSTRY: Fashion

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

His custom-made, hand-tailored suits are the reason some of Hollywood’s hautest men consistently make the “Best Dressed” list, including celebrities like Will Smith, Jerry Buss and Robert Downey, Jr. His obsession with the perfect suit and desire to dress men in what they look good in, rather than just what’s fashionable, is part of what sets his label apart from all the others.  As a businessman, Heil emphasizes hard work, customer satisfaction and, of course, the perfect fitting suit.

Rick and Kathy Hilton

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Hilton & Hyland

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is currently Chairman of the widely successful real estate firm in Beverly Hills, which he founded with partner Jeff Hyland. His firm has handled some of the biggest real estate deals in the history of the west coast and continues to remain on top of the industry. She is the socialite, actress and face of the Hilton brand name, along with daughters Paris and Nicky Hilton. In 2007 Kathy debuted her skincare line for the Home Shopping Network.

Alan F. Horn

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Former President and COO of Warner Bros.

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This former president and COO of Warner Bros. focused on the oversight of all of the studio’s theatrical and home entertainment operations, including the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Warner Premiere and Warner Home Video. He is responsible for some of the most successful movie franchises in the company’s history such as Harry Potter and Batman and shows like Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Horn also worked with New Line Cinema, which was moved into Warner Bros. in early 2008. Horn, a founding board member of the Environmental Media Association, and his wife, Cindy, are also well-known philanthropists and environmentalists.

Ron Howard

CATEGORY: Originators

COMPANY: Imagine Entertainment

INDUSTRY: Film/Television

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The Happy Days retiree has directed numerous films, including Frost/Nixon, The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Howard is the co-chairman of Imagine Entertainment, which has produced outstanding projects, such as Friday Night Lights, 8 Mile, Inside Deep Throat, the television series 24 and Arrested Development.

Jeffrey Hyland

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Hilton & Hyland

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is currently president of Hilton & Hyland, the distinguished real estate firm in Beverly Hills that he founded with partner Rick Hilton. He has personally handled several billions of dollars worth of transactions in Los Angeles, including Candy Spelling’s estate that was listed at a staggering $150 million and was sold to Petra Ecclestone for $85 million. He is also co-author of the book, The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills, which discusses the history of some of the most historic homes in Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills and Bel Air.

Robert Iger

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: The Walt Disney Company

INDUSTRY: Media

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, this is one haute-lister with clout. Iger efficiently runs and balances the matrix of Disney’s divisions. The careful development of ESPN, its animation studios and an alliance with Apple’s former head Steve Jobs are just a few projects that Iger spearheaded in past years. He has also focused a lot of attention on remaking the Company’s ABC television network.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson

CATEGORY: Athletes

COMPANY: Magic Johnson Enterprises

INDUSTRY: Basketball

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The retired athlete was one of the NBA’s finest players and the tallest point guard in league history at 6’9”. He now is a commentator for ESPN and participates in HIV education. Magic Johnson Enterprises is a non-profit organization that represents and serves ethnically diverse communities, while the Magic Johnson Foundation develops programs that support the educational, health and social needs of the underprivileged.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Television

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Brangelina is easily one of Hollywood’s most photographed, glamorous and powerful couples. With combined earnings of over $50 million a year, two successful careers in the film and entertainment industry and six children, it’s not hard to see why this couple is so envied. Both Pitt and Jolie are also known for their philanthropic efforts and have spent a lot of time overseas, particularly in Africa promoting awareness for the socio-political issues in the Sudan area.

Nick Jones

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Soho House

INDUSTRY: Hospitality

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s the founder and CEO of the exclusive Soho House. And although the savvy business executive says he fell into the club scene by accident, it’s no accident that he’s continued to have success in every market that he touches. He’s the man behind six London restaurants: Balham Kitchen & Bar, Barcelona, Boheme Kitchen and Bar, Café Boheme, Cecconi’s and Electric Brasserie.

Quincy Jones

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Qwest Records

INDUSTRY: Music

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This big-shot record producer has earned 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend Award in 1991. He is also responsible for producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. In the summer of 2010, Jones released Q Soul Bossa Nostra, his first album in nearly 15 years, with various popular artists paying tribute to classic Jones’ music.

George Joseph

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Mercury General Insurance Group

INDUSTRY: Insurance

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The self-made billionaire developed Mercury General Insurance Group, an automobile and property insurance company, in 1961. Joseph started the company for people having trouble obtaining auto insurance and the company went public in 1985. Joseph stepped down as chief executive in 2006 at age 86.

The Kardashians

CATEGORY: Entertainers

COMPANY: Kardashian Inc.

INDUSTRY: Television/Fashion

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Entrepreneurs, television personalities, models, and socialites, the Kardashians are a celebrity self-branding success story led by equally famous mom-ager Kris Jenner. The Kardashian name has propelled their entrepreneurial ventures – Kim, Kourtney and Khloe’s DASH stores, their clothing line with Sears, a seemingly endless stream of endorsement deals and a television franchise that became the highest-rated series on Sunday nights. Rob is claiming the spotlight with his recently foray into the world of Dancing With the Stars. Even little sister Kendall Jenner, a budding model, has made a name for herself.

Martin Katz

CATEGORY:  Jeweler

COMPANY: Martin Katz

INDUSTRY: Jewelry

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Martin Katz is first and foremost an artist, who has used his vision and passion to design unique and luxurious jewelry.  He has a world-class vintage jewelry collection, which inspires his one-of-a-kind creations.  His pieces have adorned the necks of leading ladies such as Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman on the red carpet for more than 20 years.

Ryan Kavanaugh

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Relativity Media

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s the founder and CEO of Relativity Media, starting the company in 2004. The company is known for financing and distributing some of the most popular projects in Hollywood and last year announced a groundbreaking partnership with Netflix that has since allowed subscribers exclusive access to the company’s films only months after their DVD release dates.

Kirk Kerkorian

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Tracinda Corporation/MGM

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

With only a high school diploma, Kerkorian is arguably one of the greatest business visionaries in the world. After serving as a fighter pilot in WWII he went on to buy and sell hotels, an airline and MGM studios three times through his private holding company, Tracinda Corporation. Tracinda, named after his two daughters Tracy and Linda, has been quite successful over the years with former shares in large companies such as General Motors and the Ford Motor Company. Kerkorian is widely known for shaping the Las Vegas we know today.

Arnold and Anne Kopelson

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Kopelson Entertainment

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Along with starting a successful film production company, Arnold has served on the Executive Committee of the Producers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  This husband-and-wife business team boasts producing credits that read like a “Best Of Twentieth Century” film list. They are responsible for Hollywood hits like Platoon, The Fugitive, Outbreak, Seven and The Devil’s Advocate.

Jeffrey Katzenberg

CATEGORY: Entertainers

COMPANY: DreamWorks Animation SKG

INDUSTRY: Television

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, Katzenberg has been said to have “the hand of God” when it comes to his knack for animation. Prior to DreamWorks, he served as studio chairman for The Walt Disney Company. He’s responsible for producing some of the highest grossing animated films of all time, including Shrek, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon and Megamind.

John Lasseter

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY:  Pixar and Walt Disney Studios

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As the two-time Academy Award-winning animator and Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, Lasseter is one of the most important men in Hollywood these days. He is also the principal creative advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering where he works with a team developing ideas for Disney theme park attractions. Lasseter was honored with a Special Achievement Oscar in 1995 for his leadership of the Toy Story team. In 2004, he was honored by the Art Directors Guild with its prestigious “Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery” award. He has also received an honorary degree from the American Film Institute.

Tim Leiweke

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: AEG

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Hailed as one of the most influential men in sports, the CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group was responsible for bringing David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the $2.5 billion L.A. Live entertainment complex to the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

Harvey Levin

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: TMZ

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s the creator and managing editor of TMZ.com, one of the most famous celebrity news and gossip sites on the Internet and one of the most-cited entertainment news sources. Levin also produces and hosts the popular show, TMZ on TV, which features paparazzi videos from the day’s footage.

Eva Longoria

CATEGORY: Entertainment

COMPANY: ABC

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Her beautiful face and figure have graced the covers of fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire, and she has even appeared in our very own Haute Living. She’s best known as Gabrielle Solis on the hit TV show Desperate Housewives and in 2006 received a Golden Globe nomination for this haute role. She has received other prestigious honors such as an award from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute for her philanthropy and work within the Latino community.

Richard Lovett

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Creative Artists Agency

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As president of CAA, Lovett is responsible for adding a sports division to the company as well as earning it a reputation as one of the best talent agencies in the world. Lovett himself represents some of Hollywood’s top earning talents including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Steven Spielberg.

Maloof Family

CATEGORY:  Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Sacramento Kings, Maloof Music, Maloof Productions, Maloof Motion Pictures, Maloof Money Cup, The Palms Casino

INDUSTRY: Sports, Entertainment, Hospitality

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: The five children of the late George J. Maloof Sr;  Adrienne Maloof-Nassif, Phil Maloof, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof and George J. Maloof, Jr. are influential tastemakers across luxury markets. They are the creators of The Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and owners of NBA and WNBA franchises in Sacramento. The Maloof entertainment companies boast several film, television, and music ventures and The Maloof Money Cup is a rapidly expanding skateboarding showcase. The Maloof family members are regular popular culture fixtures—appearing in music videos, making television cameos and on reality television.

Nobu Matsuhisa

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Matsuhisa and Nobu Restaurants

INDUSTRY: Hospitality/Chef

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The celebrity chef and restaurateur is known for his Japanese fusion cuisine that is the genius behind the Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants, both of which have international locations. The Matsuhisa restaurants are strictly family owned while the Nobu locations are split between Nobu, Drew Nieporent, Robert De Niro, Meir Teper and managing partner Richie Notar. All of Nobu’s restaurants are considered at the top of the culinary pyramid and with his unique blending of Asian and South American ingredients, it’s not hard to see why. This international chef has lived everywhere from Peru to Alaska, no doubt picking up culinary tricks along the way.

Dr. Gary Michelson

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Found Animals Foundation

INDUSTRY: Medicine

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He single-handedly revolutionized orthopedic medicine. Dr. Michelson found his fortune by licensing tools that are often integral to the completion of complicated back surgery. Michelson believes in active philanthropy, rather than just throwing his money at a cause. He uses his fortune and skills to make a difference and is currently working with the Found Animals Foundation on a solution to the large number of unwanted pets in the U.S.

Michael Milken

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Milken Family Foundation /Milken Institute / Melanoma Research Alliance

INDUSTRY: Finance/Philanthropy

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This haute-lister is responsible for creating the market for junk bonds during the 1970s and 1980s and has donated a staggering $1 billion to medical research. He currently has a net worth of approximately $2 billion.

Leslie Moonves

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: CBS Corporation

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As President and CEO of CBS, Moonves is in charge of overseeing all divisions of the company including CBS network, CBS Studios, Showtime, the CW, CBS Radio, CBS Home Entertainment and more. Under Moonves’ leadership, CBS has continued to be a leading network in the U.S. and has launched several prime time hit shows such as The Big Bang Theory.

Arte Moreno

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Anaheim Angels

INDUSTRY: Sports

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

When he purchased the Anaheim Angels in 2003 from the Walt Disney Company (for a whopping $180 million), Moreno became the first Hispanic in the history of the United States to own a major league team. He’s signed star players like Vladimir Guerrero and taken the team to win American League West Division Championships in ’04, ’05, ’07, ’08 and ’09.

Doug Morris

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Sony Music Entertainment

INDUSTRY: Music

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

As the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, Morris is responsible for guiding the overall global activities of the world’s second largest music company. He is also the former chairman and CEO of Universal, the world’s largest music company. He’s worked with some of the most popular and influential artists of the past four decades, including Bette Midler, Led Zeppelin, Mariah Carey and The Rolling Stones. Morris also takes time to give back to the community and, among his many charitable donations and activities, serves on the board of directors of The Robin Hood Foundation.

Peter Morton

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Hard Rock Cafe

INDUSTRY: Hospitality

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s the co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe and sold the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel to New York-based Morgans Hotel Group for $770 million. His father is the founder of Morton’s, the famous steakhouse, and his son, Harry, is behind the interestingly named Pink Taco restaurant chain. Morton is also known for his philanthropic efforts. After he made a generous donation to UCLA, the university’s Medical Plaza building was renamed the Peter Morton Medical Building.

David Murdock

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Dole Food Company, Inc./Castle & Cooke, Inc.

INDUSTRY: Investment/Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This high school dropout made a tidy fortune in the real estate industry, which he then used to buy portions of Dole Food Company, Inc. and Castle & Cooke. The two combined companies have resulted in one of the largest privately held entities in the U.S., with 63,000 employees in more than 90 countries. Its portfolio includes development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacturing of brick and building materials, oil and gas holdings, aviation services and ownership of public warehouses. He has an estimated net worth of $2.7 billion.

Sam Nazarian

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: SBE Entertainment Group

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Nazarian is the Founder and CEO of SBE, a Los Angeles based luxury hospitality, real estate development and lifestyle company. In 2006 he was the youngest executive to be named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful People in Southern California,” and his empire has only grown. From nightclubs like Area, MI-6 and Hyde Lounge to hotels, casinos, finance and films, Nazarian is a haute-lister to watch.

Bill Nelson

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: HBO

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

In 2007, he was named chairman and CEO of HBO, the world’s largest premium TV channel. Nelson signed on to HBO in 1984 as vice president and assistant controller and since then he’s made a steady rise to the top. Under Nelson’s leadership, HBO has grown into an international brand, releasing hit shows like True Blood, Hung, Entourage and Boardwalk Empire. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jack Nicholson

CATEGORY: Entertainers

COMPANY: CBS Corporation

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Whether you know him as astronaut Garrett Breedlove, Randle Patrick McMurphy, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, The Joker or Melvin Udall, Nicholson is a Hollywood icon. The legendary actor has been working in Hollywood for more than 40 years and has created an impressive resume of films and awards.

Offer Nissenbaum

CATEGORY: Hotelier

COMPANY: The Peninsula Beverly Hills

INDUSTRY: Hospitality

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: He was recently named “Hotelier of the Year” at the Virtuoso Hotel Awards. Offer Nissenbaum has been Managing Director of esteemed and ultra-luxe The Peninsula Beverly Hills since December 2007.  Before assuming his post at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, he was Regional Vice President of Operation for Omni hotels, overseeing eight properties and serving as the company’s corporate liaison to the Global Hotel Alliance.

Tommy Perse

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Maxfield

INDUSTRY: Fashion

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

His son is famed fashion designer James Perse, but Tommy Perse is also a trendsetter in his own right. He’s the owner of one of L.A.’s top high-end fashion destinations, Maxfield, with a location on Melrose and another one in Malibu. Perse himself handpicks the items that include men’s and women’s apparel, shoes, bags, and jewelry from designers like Chanel, Lanvin and Alexander McQueen.

Anthony Pritzker

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: The Pritzker Group

INDUSTRY: Private Investment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Pritzker is one of three children of billionaire Donald Pritzker, the founder of the Hyatt hotel chain. He’s also the managing partner and co-founder of The Pritzker Group, a family-run private investment firm that partners with management teams and provides them with investment and operating expertise specifically during buyouts and acquisitions of various companies.  He is worth an estimated $2.5 billion.

Wolfgang Puck

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs/Chef

COMPANY: Wolfgang Puck

INDUSTRY: Hospitality/Food

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This Austrian-born restaurateur and celebrity chef has built a culinary empire that includes fine dining establishments, franchise restaurants, catering, cookbooks and other culinary products. His flagship restaurant, Spago, is still the go-to establishment for Hollywood’s elite. In 2010 he opened the highly anticipated WP24 by Wolfgang Puck at the new Ritz-Carlton hotel in downtown Los Angeles and has since opened two more restaurants in Tulsa, OK and La Jolla, CA.

Brett Ratner

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: HSI Productions

INDUSTRY: Film and Television

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The billion-dollar director is behind a slew of action packed blockbusters, including X-Men, The Last Stand, Red Dragon and the Rush Hour trilogy. He is also the producer of Fox’s hit Prison Break. His Beverly Hills home is the stomping grounds for the area’s A-listers, many of who have sat for pictures in his black and white photo booth.

Sumner Redstone

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: National Amusements Inc.

INDUSTRY: Media

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The 88-year-old Redstone is still one of the most powerful media moguls in the industry. His National Amusements Inc., is the parent company of Viacom, CBS Corporation, MTV Networks, BET and film studio Paramount Pictures; Redstone serves as executive chairman of both CBS Corporation and Viacom.

Stewart and Lynda Resnick

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Fiji/POM Wonderful/Resnick Family Foundation

INDUSTRY: Retail/Beverage

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Since the 1970s, this pair has acquired several companies such as POM Wonderful, Fiji and Teleflora. Lynda Resnick was the brains behind the branding for each company, while her partner and husband Stewart oversaw day-to-day logistics. Today, Stewart and Lynda Resnick are the owners of Paramount Farms, Paramount Citrus Companies, the Resnick Family Foundation and have a net worth of $2 billion, according to Forbes.

Edward Roski, Jr.

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Majestic Realty Co.

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He owns more than 73 million square feet of commercial property from Los Angeles to Atlanta, as well as minor parts of the L.A. Lakers and hockey’s L.A. Kings. His company, Majestic Realty Co., is one of the leading real estate development companies in the world. The noted risk taker, who will attack anything from Mount Everest to the Titanic wreckage, is also an avid philanthropist. He donated $23 million to his alma mater, the University of Southern California, in 2006.

Haim Saban

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: ABC Family/Saban Entertainment

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s founder and part owner of Fox Family Worldwide, now known as ABC Family, and Saban Entertainment. He now sits at the helm of Univision, bought for $13.7 billion, and is also expanding his namesake brand, Saban Brands. Today, he is worth $2.9 billion. Over the course of his life, this media mogul and his wife have donated approximately $200 million to charity.

Ryan Seacrest

CATEGORY: Entertainers

COMPANY: Ryan Seacrest Productions

INDUSTRY: Television/Radio

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Juggling multiple gigs, Seacrest may be the busiest man in Hollywood. He’s hosted and/or produced some of the trendiest TV and radio shows of the last few years such as On Air with Ryan Seacrest, the American Top 40 radio show, E! News and American Idol. At his own production company, he’s delivered reality TV hits like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Jamie’s American Food Revolution.

Fred Segal

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Fred Segal

INDUSTRY: Fashion

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He founded the trendy Fred Segal boutique in 1960 when he opened the world’s first jeans-only boutique. The concept that garnered him success soon expanded into full-fledged fashion haven, Fred Segal Santa Monica. The beach location is so massive that they expanded to two buildings across the street from one another, both jam-packed with the latest trends and celebrity clientele.

Henry Segerstrom

CATEGORY: Originators

COMPANY: C.J. Segerstrom & Sons

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Along with developing South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, he is also a managing partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, one of the largest real estate empires in California. Segerstrom was integral to the expansion of the Orange County Performing Arts Center (which included the $200 million Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall) and the surrounding complex. In 2010, Carnegie Hall awarded him its annual Medal of Excellence for all the money and time he’s donated to causes in the arts.

John Simonian

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Westime

INDUSTRY: Watches

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is owner and CEO of the highly successful luxury watch boutique Westime, which currently has two locations in West L.A. and one on Rodeo Drive. Simonian’s signature boutique is a watch collector’s dream, featuring brands like Dior, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille and the Tiffany & Co. Watch Collection. This year, in charitable spirits, Westime’s Beverly Hills boutique hosted the ONLY WATCH Auction in support of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research; 100 percent of the proceeds were donated.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

CATEGORY: Power Couples

INDUSTRY: Film/Television

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The “Fresh Prince” stars in the highly anticipated Men in Black III to be released in 2012, while Mrs. Smith voiced a character in the third installment of the family film Madagascar. Together, the husband-and-wife team has founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, a charity dedicated to inner-city children and their families.

Stacey Snider

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: DreamWorks SKG

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Ranked as one of the 50 most important women in business, Snider went from running Universal Studios to becoming co-chairman and CEO of DreamWorks with Steven Spielberg. Snider oversees all the creative and financial aspects of film development and production for this high-powered company.

Steven Soderbergh

CATEGORY: Originators

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This producer, cinematographer and Academy Award-winning director is best known for the thought-provoking Traffic, Erin Brockovich, The Informant!, Che and the Ocean’s 11 franchise.

Steven Spielberg

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: DreamWorks

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

Arguably the world’s most famous filmmaker, Spielberg is the man behind blockbusters like Saving Private Ryan, Men in Black, Jurassic Park, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Lovely Bones and Catch Me If You Can. This haute-lister will forever live on, immortalized in the world of film.

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin-Stallone

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Seriesse International

INDUSTRY: Film/Cosmetics

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is forever Rocky and Rambo, but his recent film The Expendables, which Stallone wrote, directed, and starred in, was the biggest opening weekend of his career. Flavin-Stallone is the co-owner of $1 billion skincare and wellness company, Seriesse International.

Frank Symons

CATEGORY: Real Estate

COMPANY: Sotheby’s

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the West Region for Sotheby’s International Realty.  He is responsible for setting up Sotheby’s West Coast hub in Beverly Hills and has since overseen the establishment of 26 offices throughout the region.  He is instrumental in Sotheby’s consistent acquisition of other firms in the region. He has also earned a reputation as a highly-contributing citizen and philanthropist throughout the local community.

Quentin Tarantino

CATEGORY: Originators

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The unconventional director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor, known for his over-the-top, outlandish usage of violence, is often declared one of Hollywood’s best and most creative minds. The originator of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill series received multiple Academy Award nominations for Inglourious Basterds, his highest-grossing movie to date. Pulp Fiction earned Tarantino an Oscar in 1995.

Arn and Nancy Tellem

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: WMG Management/CBS

INDUSTRY: Television

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s a legendary sports agent and she’s the former president turned senior advisor of the CBS Paramount Television Network Entertainment Group. Arn has been an integral part of the Athlete Management division of Wasserman Media Group since 2006 and represents some of the biggest names in the sports industry.  Nancy was responsible for spearheading CBS’ efforts to expand its content into new media and across all emerging platforms, including the development and production of original content for CBS.com, the CBS Audience Network and wireless.

Steve Tisch

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Escape Artists/New York Giants

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The award-winning film and television producer is the man behind Forrest Gump, American History X, The Pursuit of Happyness and Snatch and is also Chairman and Executive Vice President of the New York Giants. He also sits on the board of trustees of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

John Tu

CATEGORY: Billionaires

COMPANY: Kingston Technology Company, Inc.

INDUSTRY: Technology

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This self-made billionaire co-founded Kingston Technology with David Sun. The company grew out the growing demand for surface-mount memory chips in the high-tech marketplace, and is now the largest computer memory firm. Tu is also known for being a good boss. When Tu and partner sold an 80 percent stake in Kingston Technology in 1996 for $1.5 billion, they spent  $100 million of it on lavish bonuses for their employees, with the average bonus exceeding $100,000.

Thomas Tull

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs

COMPANY: Legendary Pictures

INDUSTRY: Film

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He founded Legendary Pictures, the strategic production company that unites private equity investors with film producers. It was this genius that led to a seven-year, 40-picture contract with Warner Bros. in 2005. As president and CEO, Tull has overseen dozens of successful projects, including recent blockbusters The Hangover, Where the Wild Things Are and Inception.

Ronald Tutor

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: Tutor Perini Corporation

INDUSTRY: Real Estate

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He is a construction magnate and Chairman and CEO of the Tutor Perini Corporation, one of the largest general contractors in the United States. In January 2009, the corporation acquired Philadelphia-based building contractor Keating. In 2010, Walt Disney Co. sold Miramax Films to Tutor’s Filmyard Holding investor group for $660 million.

Antonio Villaraigosa

CATEGORY: Thinkers

COMPANY: The City of Los Angeles

INDUSTRY: Politics

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

The first Hispanic mayor in LA in 133 years had his first taste of the political life in high school when he volunteered with the farm workers movement. As the mayor, he has revitalized the city of Los Angeles with infrastructure projects, the wooing of tech companies, actively supporting small businesses, ensuring growth of the area’s unique creative capital and an emphasis on education. He is currently in the process of trying to pass a law that would exempt auto dealers from paying the city’s business tax as part of his initiative to bring more businesses to his city.

Mark Wahlberg

CATEGORY: Entertainers

INDUSTRY: Film/Television

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

This is one haute-lister with staying power. Wahlberg was Co-Executive Producer for the HBO television series Entourage, which ran for eight successful seasons and is the current Producer for Boardwalk Empire, another HBO hit. His role in The Fighter as Micky Ward gained Wahlberg much public recognition, including Academy Award, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Wahlberg is also Haute Living’s cover star this issue.

Brad Korzen and Kelly Wearstler

CATEGORY: Power Couples

COMPANY: Kor Group/ KWID

INDUSTRY: Development/ Design

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:

He’s the founder of Kor Realty Group and has control of numerous resorts, hotels and commercial investment properties, including Viceroy Palm Springs, Viceroy Santa Monica, Beverly Hills’ Avalon Hotel and Maison 140. His wife Kelly is a famed interior designer and appeared as a judge on Bravo’s Top Design. She is behind the award-winning interiors of her husband’s hotels, infusing the properties with her signature classic minimalist lines and old Hollywood glamour. Kelly also debuted her first-ever ready-to-wear and accessories collection through Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter.

Matthew Weiner

CATEGORY:  Screenwriter, director, producer

COMPANY: AMC

INDUSTRY: Entertainment

WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: He is the award-winning television writer and creative mastermind behind Mad Men and The Sopranos, two ultra successful television hits. He financed his first movie using winnings from an appearance on Jeopardy, and has gone on to write, produce and direct for numerous successful entertainment ventures. Mad Men has won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, three Golden Globes, and four Writers Guild Awards, among many others. Weiner himself has won Emmys for Mad Men, as well. The Sopranos won two Emmys and Weiner himself got an Emmy nomination. This is just a short list of Weiner’s many accomplishments.