Review | In ‘Who Knew,’ Barry Diller comes out — but mostly talks business

Barry Diller's autobiography, "Who Knew," reveals his previously unacknowledged homosexuality and details his long and unconventional relationship with Diane von Furstenberg, marked by both deep affection and acceptance of his attraction to men. The memoir also recounts Diller's experiences in Hollywood, including clashes with Warren Beatty and George Lucas over creative and financial matters, and acknowledges von Furstenberg's affair with Richard Gere during her early relationship with Diller. While the book offers insights into Diller's professional life, it is noted for a degree of emotional reserve regarding his personal experiences.

Analysis

Barry Diller's autobiography, "Who Knew," provides a personal narrative focusing on his previously unconfirmed homosexuality and his enduring, non-traditional marriage to Diane von Furstenberg. While offering glimpses into his personal life, the memoir is noted for a degree of emotional restraint regarding his deepest feelings during pivotal moments. From a professional standpoint, the book recounts Diller's significant contributions to the media landscape, including his leadership at Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, and his creation of ABC's Movie of the Week. It details specific high-stakes business interactions, such as fractious negotiations with Warren Beatty over the film "Reds" and a contentious contract renegotiation with George Lucas for an "Indiana Jones" sequel, where Diller describes Lucas as a "sanctimonious...hypocrite." Diller, currently Chairman of Expedia, also voices concern over "pure technocrats" negatively impacting creativity within the entertainment industry. The article framing this memoir suggests that Diller's adaptability across personal and professional domains was a key element of his success. The provided signals, indicating neutral sentiment and negligible market impact, underscore that these revelations are biographical and historical, offering limited new, actionable financial intelligence for companies like Expedia, or historical entities such as Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors in media and entertainment companies, including Expedia where Diller serves as Chairman, might consider the memoir's insights into his historical negotiation strategies and conflict management as context for leadership dynamics within the sector, while recognizing the anecdotal and backward-looking nature of these accounts.
• Diller's expressed concerns regarding the impact of 'pure technocrats' on creativity could serve as a qualitative factor for investors evaluating the long-term strategic balance between technological advancement and content innovation in their media and tech-entertainment portfolio companies, including Expedia.