Insights on Interviews, Clinton Scandals, and a Surprising Email to Brad Pitt in New Book by Former Sony CEO Michael Lynton

Michael Lynton, the former CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, attributes the catastrophic 2014 hack of the studio’s computer systems to a deep-rooted childhood desire to “fit in with the cool kids.”

In his newly published book, From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn’t Own You, co-authored with Joshua L. Steiner, Lynton reflects on the cyberattack for the first time. Although he departed Sony in 2017, he remains an influential figure on various corporate boards, including Snap Inc., where he serves as chairperson. The book revisits the notorious hack, drawing significant media attention, while also sharing engaging anecdotes about errors involving public figures like Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, and Bill Clinton.

Lynton recalls a pivotal moment during a table read for the Seth Rogen comedy The Interview, which humorously portrays the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Caught up in the film’s high demand and a sense of excitement, Lynton made a snap decision to green-light the project, departing from his usual cautious approach.

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As the release date approached, the film incited a massive cyberattack that crippled Sony for weeks and resulted in the leakage of numerous internal documents. U.S. intelligence agencies officially attributed the attack to North Korea. Facing threats and a lack of support from film exhibitors, the movie’s premiere eschewed traditional glitz in favor of a streamlined online release.

Despite his role in the controversy, Lynton expressed some resentment toward the press for their coverage, Rogen’s lack of acknowledgment for the studio’s employees, and Julian Assange for making the hacked files publicly searchable. Notably, he accepts full responsibility for the incident and even extends forgiveness to North Korea. He reflects on how his feelings of loneliness, stemming from a childhood move to the Netherlands at age nine, contributed to his vulnerability. While always drawn to films and culture, he often felt socially isolated, a pattern that continued into his executive career.

Lynton describes an encounter at a party hosted by CAA chief Bryan Lourd, where he struggled to engage with stars Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, who were conversing with George Clooney. “While polite, they made clear that I simply did not belong,” Lynton notes, revealing the pain of exclusion. His involvement with The Interview offered him a rare chance to feel included, suggesting that his eagerness to fit in influenced his decision-making.

Whitewater Rapids

Steiner, a former finance and nonprofit executive who served in the Clinton administration, shares a similarly embarrassing tale about his experience with keeping a diary. As a 27-year-old in the Treasury Department, inspired by great historical figures, he filled his diary with sensitive details about colleagues and personal reflections.

The diary later became a focal point during the extensive investigations into Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Whitewater investments, putting Steiner in the precarious position of navigating “perjury traps” while testifying multiple times, including during a televised Senate hearing.

Among the notable findings in the investigation was the connection between Ken Starr and Monica Lewinsky, which ultimately led to President Clinton’s impeachment. Although Steiner had no direct knowledge of Whitewater or Lewinsky, he found his diary splattered across the front page of the New York Times. Reflecting on the fallout, he expressed a desire for greater self-empathy, stating, “I wish I had more empathy for myself and felt less shame.”

The book intricately weaves personal narratives from Lynton and Steiner with academic insights and wisdom from various writers and artists. Allison Papadakis, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, assisted in analyzing their missteps through a well-researched lens.

“What The F–k, Buddy?!”

While Lynton and Steiner’s accounts form the backbone of the book, it also includes third-party anecdotes from various figures, particularly in Hollywood.

A chapter dedicated to Devil Wears Prada director David Frankel recounts his own mistakes, including a disastrous email exchange with Brad Pitt. Frankel’s belief that a film focused on birdwatching would be a box office success is humorously juxtaposed with Tom Rothman’s skepticism toward the project.

In discussions about the screenplay for Moneyball, Frankel and Pitt struggled to align their visions. After a tense misunderstanding, Pitt sent Frankel an email stating, “If you’re going to direct it, I don’t want to do it. We just have different visions for it.” In a moment of haste, Frankel attempted to forward the message to his manager; however, he accidentally hit “reply,” prompting Pitt’s bewildered reaction: “What the f–k, buddy?!”

Liz Jenkins, former CFO of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and current chief business officer of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios, reflects on a blunder during a crucial hiring phase. Tasked with finding an executive to manage accounting, Jenkins prioritized technical expertise despite lacking formal training in that area, leading her to choose an unsuitable candidate. After just two weeks, she realized her mistake and had to let the person go, emphasizing the importance of aligning hiring decisions with company culture.

Other contributors examining their own missteps include author Malcolm Gladwell, media executive Joanna Coles, and John Jay College president Karol Mason.