Early Life
Isaac Perlmutter was born in Mandatory Palestine (now Israel) in 1945 to a Jewish family. He served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Six-Day War of 1967. Perlmutter immigrated to the United States with only $250. He began his career in New York City, working at Jewish cemeteries and selling toys and beauty products on the streets. He later transitioned to selling surplus stock and end-of-line items.
Rise to Success
Perlmutter formed Odd Lot Trading with Bernard Marden, a wholesaler of closeout items, which they sold to Revco Discount Drug Stores in 1984. He later acquired a controlling interest in Remington Products in 1994. However, his most significant impact came in the entertainment industry. He co-owned Toy Biz with Avi Arad, which had a licensing agreement with Marvel. Perlmutter became a member of the board of directors of Marvel Comics in April 1993 and Chairman in 1995. He played a key role in reviving Marvel after its bankruptcy in 1996. He served as CEO of Marvel Entertainment from 2005 to 2016, and then as Chairman until March 2023. Under his leadership, Marvel expanded into films with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Key Business Strategies
Perlmutter's business acumen was evident in his ability to identify undervalued assets and distressed companies. He taught himself how to read balance sheets and spot overlooked value in weak and distressed companies. He was known for his shrewd negotiation skills and cost-cutting measures, which helped turnaround Marvel.
Philanthropy
Perlmutter and his wife, Laura, are known philanthropists. They have supported various causes, including healthcare, social justice, and community initiatives. They established the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, donating $50 million in 2014. They have also contributed to the Innocence Project. In 2015, they donated $9 million to cancer research at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.