Yoram Globus: A Film Industry Powerhouse

Biography

Yoram Globus was born in Tiberias and grew up in Kiryat Motzkin. During his childhood, he worked as a film projectionist at the "Orot" cinema, which was owned by his father. He later served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Golani Brigade and was discharged as a lieutenant.

Upon completing his military service in 1964, he began collaborating with Menahem Golan, the director, and producer. Together, they founded the film production company "Sartori Films," named after Golan's father.

Globus worked as a producer and distributor in the company, while Golan served as a director and producer. During the 1960s and 1970s, they produced numerous films, some of which achieved great success and popularity in Israel.

These included titles like "Sallah Shabati," "I Love You, Rosa," "Eskimo Limon" (Lemon Popsicle), "Queen of the Road," "Blind Love," "Kazablan," "Operation Thunderbolt" (a worldwide success and an Oscar-nominated film), "Lemon Popsicle 2," and many more.

Transition to Hollywood

In 1978, Golan and Globus made their move to Hollywood, acquiring the film production company Cannon Group. Until the mid-1980s, Golan and Globus produced approximately 40 films per year, turning Cannon into one of the major independent film companies worldwide and the largest in the United States.Yoram and Menahem earned themselves a reputation as Hollywood producers and significantly contributed to expanding the film industry beyond the borders of the United States.

Some of the films they produced during this period include "Bloodsport" with Jean-Claude Van Damme, "Over the Top" with Sylvester Stallone, "Superman IV" with Christopher Reeve, "The Delta Force" with Chuck Norris, "The Ambassador" with Robert Mitchum and Rock Hudson, "Missing in Action," "American Ninja," and many more. In addition to these, they held the rights to other well-known franchises such as Spider-Man, Captain America, and others.

By the late 1980s, Golan and Globus had extended their group's activities by acquiring cinema chains and studios across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany. Following the purchase of "Classic" and "Star Chain," Cannon gained control of approximately 40% of the British film market and became one of the largest studio and cinema chains in Europe, boasting over 1,800 cinemas exclusively in Europe.

In 1993, after producing more than 200 films, Yoram Globus returned to Israel. Starting in the early 1990s, he served as the chairman of the Israeli Film and Television Academy.

One of Globus's notable achievements in Israel is the "Globus Group," which includes private venture "Globus Group," a public entity known as "Globus Max," and it holds a significant stake in the film distribution industry ("Nuach Te'kshoret") and cinemas in Israel. Additionally, the company owns large television and film studios in Israel (G.G. Israel Studios in Neve Ilan), a film and television production company, and more.

In 1999, Yoram Globus was honored with the Ophir Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Israeli Academy of Film and Television.

Globus is known for being a supporter of the football club Beitar Jerusalem F.C. In 1991, he donated $400,000 for the purchase of the player Eli Ohana, whose contract belonged to the Belgian club Molenbeek.

In 1991, Globus married singer Edna Lev. However, they divorced shortly thereafter. In 1993, he married Leah, his former wife's sister. Subsequently, they had a son together, named Uri.

Two out of Yoram Globus's three children, who are from Leah's previous marriage, stand out as actors: Iddo Lav and Liron Lav.