• Faith: Judaism
• Career: Producer
• Birthday:  April 04, 1942

As one of the most successful producers of all time, Clive Davis is credited with helping raise artists such as Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Billy Joel, Donovan, Bay City Rollers, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ace of Base, Aerosmith, and Pink Floyd.

He was heavily involved in the careers of Barry Manilow and Whitney Houston and delivered a eulogy at the latter's funeral in 2012. He was considered Houston's "industry father."

Davis was born to Jewish parents, attended high school in Brooklyn, and received a full scholarship to Harvard University, where he received a law degree.

He practiced law in New York and began his career at Columbia Records in 1960 as assistant counsel and was promoted to general counsel the following year. By 1966, he was head of the newly formed CBS Records, and the following year, he was appointed president, where he developed a knack for identifying emerging folk-rock and rock-and-roll artists.

However, Davis' time at CBS Records ended abruptly in 1973 when he was fired over allegations of misusing company funds. He moved to Columbia Pictures as a consultant for Bell Records before founding Arista Records in 1974. He later collaborated with Sean "Puffy" Combs to establish Bad Boy Records, home to The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, and Faith Evans. In 2008, he was named Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, a title he holds today.

Clive Davis has received widespread recognition for his contributions to the music industry, including the Grammy Trustees Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (non-performers category), and the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 2000. He was also presented with the President's Merit Award at the Grammy Awards in 2009, and the Grammy Museum named its 200-seat theater the "Clive Davis Theater" in 2011.

In addition to his music industry accolades, Davis was recognized by the Equality Forum as one of the 31 Icons of LGBT History Month in 2015 and was an honoree at The New Jewish Home's Eight Over Eighty Gala in 2018.

Is Clive Davis Religious?

While Clive Davis hasn't openly discussed his thoughts on God or his beliefs, he identifies as a Jew and in 2024, Davis addressed the October 6 massacre in Israel and the antisemitism he has experienced throughout his life.

"I wholeheartedly oppose the murderous hate displayed by Hamas on the people of Israel, and I support Israel's right to eradicate terrorism. This is very, very personal and tragic for me. I have experienced the extraordinary pain of antisemitism my entire life. This goes all the way back to when I was a boy, and the soldiers returned from World War II with horrific images of the concentration camps," Davis wrote on Instagram.

He also wrote: "You cannot be silent about antisemitism, or hate or discrimination of any kind. I choose not to be silent about the evil of terrorism, and I also urge our leaders to seriously consider humanitarian rights and the preservation of innocent life in the days ahead."

He has long supported the nonprofit UJA Federation, whose mission is to "care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds."

Davis discussed his 2013 bisexuality in his memoir, "The Soundtrack of My Life," according to Rolling Stone.