We recently caught up with Henry Schleiff (NY, ’74), former Group President of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, Destination America, and Discovery Fit & Health. Henry began his career clerking for a federal judge in the Southern District of New York before joining Davis Polk as an associate. He then transitioned into the entertainment sector, holding executive roles at HBO, Universal, and Viacom, and producing a Golden Globe-nominated movie. Currently, he is working with independent producers on various documentaries, including one that just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, while also serving on several non-profit boards, including the Museum of the Moving Image, Guild Hall of Southampton, the Hampton International Film Festival, RFK Human Rights and the Advisory Council of UNICEF.
Tell us about a memorable work experience—whether in legal or entertainment.
After graduating from Penn Law, I clerked for a federal judge for a year, which got off to a bumpy start. My co-clerk, who had been there for a few months before I arrived, warned me that the judge, who was very particular about his black robe not touching the ground when you helped him take it off. The trick was to pick it straight up. So, the first weekend I was there, instead of honing my legal skills, I spent a significant amount of time practicing taking an old bathrobe straight up off a wooden clothes tree.
Cut to the second week: As the judge leaves the bench, he signals for me to help him with his robe, which I proceed to do – but unbeknownst to me, it was tied around his waist. As I yanked it straight up, I also lifted him off the ground. I can still hear him yelling, “Put me down, put me down!”
Do you have any memorable moments from your time at Davis Polk that you would like to share?
I had been at Davis Polk for about six months and was working on putting a bound volume together. One cold winter Sunday night, I was alone in the seemingly empty building, laying out documents on a long table I found in a conference room on the “Gold Coast” floor, feeling pretty sad for myself. I had a daydream, maybe inspired by a movie I had seen, of a senior partner coming upon a junior lawyer toiling away and being so impressed by his hard work that he makes him a partner then and there.
With this fantasy in mind, I heard a knock at the door. It was S. Hazard Gillespie, a senior litigation partner – and, per the daydream, I knew he was coming in to promote me on the spot to full partnership. Instead, he said, “That table is creaking. Could you find another conference room?” I replied, “Sure” – and thought it wise not to ask him anything about a partnership.
In my four years at Davis Polk in the 1970s, I had many great experiences, one of which was a six-month assignment to the Merrill Lynch municipal bond funds. At that time, they were doing two to three public offerings a week.
With the competition among printers for their business, the excesses in terms of dinners, drinks and cigars made for many long and crazy nights! The experience of being part of a team involved with this work–and—the Cuban cigars–made it a lot of fun. I think I still have some of those cigars.
What inspired you to transition from law firm practice to a career in the entertainment industry, and could you share some key experiences as an entertainment and cable executive?
I left Davis Polk in 1978 to pursue my interest in TV and film, wanting to combine it with my education, especially in law. I joined what was then a small entertainment company as assistant general counsel, which was a great introduction to the world of cable and pay TV. After two years there, a friend from HBO invited me to lunch and asked if I would consider leaving the practice of law to oversee Business Affairs for Sports and Theater at HBO. He asked if I could let him know soon because they needed someone to go to London for their coverage of Wimbledon. Hearing this offer, I jumped out of my seat and joined HBO, I think later that day!
Over the 45 years since then (all with the same assistant), I have been incredibly fortunate to work in the industry in a number of capacities and companies. At HBO, Universal and subsequently Viacom (now Paramount), I held a variety of corporate executive positions. Thereafter, in a more creative role, I oversaw the growth and success of Court TV, Hallmark Channel and, most recently, as Group President at Warner Bros. Discovery, several cable networks, including my favorite, Investigation Discovery. Somewhere in the mix, I produced two movies: a Golden Globe nominated one for HBO (Witness Protection) and one for Showtime (Money Plays), along with a series, Twisted Puppet Theater, for which I am still getting complaints – but, hey, they’re from puppets.
Do you have any advice for others who may be interested in transitioning to the entertainment industry, whether in a legal or other capacity?
Let’s start with the famous screenwriter William Goldman’s line: “No one knows anything about this business,” which should temper the value of any suggestions I might offer. That said, here are a couple of thoughts: Wherever possible, follow your passion – don’t wake up 40 years later wishing you had pursued what you truly enjoyed. Try to surround yourself with people smarter than yourself and who you actually enjoy spending time with. This was easy for me, especially at Davis Polk. And most importantly, maintain a sense of humor – or at least appreciate one!
What are you currently working on?
Having left Warner Brothers Discovery, I am now working with independent producers, free from the need for budget presentations and other bureaucratic necessities. I recently was the executive producer for a film that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. I have more time to dedicate to the several not-for-profit boards I am involved with – and, of course, to my wife, Peggy, our family and especially our two young grandchildren. I won’t mention my golf game, but it’s a bad sign when your caddy shows up with a helmet.
We previously featured Henry in 2016. Log in to the Alumni Network to read Henry’s 2016 Spotlight.