George Krikorian

George Krikorian grew up near Rockingham Park in Salem, N.H., where his father was a racehorse trainer. After a successful career in real estate, Krikorian founded Krikorian Premiere Theatres in 1984 in Palos Verdes, Calif. By 1996 he had built a successful movie chain of nearly 100 screens in Southern California and sold them to Regal Cinemas, and he then went about building a new circuit of cinemas with an emphasis on Old Hollywood quality and experience. His net worth is now estimated at more than $5 billion.

Krikorian has a Thoroughbred farm near Versailles, Ky. Many of Krikorian’s racehorses reflect his show business background, including Grade 1 winners Star Billing, Starrer and Hollywood Story as well as Grade 3 winner Makeup Artist and graded stakes-placed Box Office Girl. This year his Big Score is slated to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.