Coppola Is Appointed to MGM Board

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. said it named film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola, whose credits include the “Godfather” trilogy, to its board. The addition of Coppola gives the board nine members.

Coppola had been a director of MGM before its acquisition in 1996 by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, who controls about 64% of the company.

Coppola, 58, is a five-time Academy Award winner as a director, writer and producer. He won his first Oscar for co-writing the screenplay for the film “Patton.” Coppola’s other movies include “Apocalypse Now,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and “John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.”

“His creativity and comprehensive understanding of all aspects of our industry will significantly benefit the company,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Frank Mancuso. MGM, once Hollywood’s biggest studio, has suffered for years from steep losses and few hit films. It has lost money every year since 1988.

Still, its 4,000 film titles--from “West Side Story” to “Dances with Wolves”--and 8,200 television episodes give the company the largest post-1948 library in the world.

Separately, talent agency ICM signed an agreement to represent Coppola and his American Zoetrope production company to develop film, TV and publishing ventures as well as help him find funds and distribution channels.