How One Hollywood Power Attorney Turned a Postage Error Into a Career

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On an auspicious day back in 1997, while Dan Scharf was still a budding attorney serving as a public defender in Northern California, he came across a job posting that he believed could alter the course of his life significantly. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) based in L.A. required a lawyer’s skills. He meticulously compiled his résumé, deposited it into a mailbox, and hoped for the best.

And he might have even gotten a response had he not written the wrong address on the envelope.

Looking back, I had this feeling of disbelief, ‘This can’t be,’ I thought, when I saw ‘Return to Sender’ scribbled on that envelope. But then, with a shrug, I said to myself, ‘Oh well,’ and corrected the address before sending it off again.”

Or:

“I remember being taken aback, ‘No way this is happening,’ I thought when I saw ‘Return to Sender’ written on the letter. But then I figured, ‘Why not give it another try?’ So, I fixed the address and mailed it once more.

A rocky beginning marked the pathway to a brilliant legal career in Hollywood for Scharf. Almost 35 years after, he stands as one of the most accomplished in-house lawyers in town. His journey has seen him work at various studios, such as Fox, Disney, and Amazon, where he’s been steering the ship for the past 11 years, currently holding the position of head of global business operations. And it was SAG that finally recognized his potential and offered him a job on the same day they received his resume.

He mentions that it’s quite an accomplishment to have been there for eleven years,” he says, pointing out that “nearly all” the people currently employed at Amazon Studios joined after him.

Initially, Scharf found that his experience as a public defender proved unexpectedly valuable in the competitive field of entertainment law. The main distinction lay in the fact that instead of persuading juries in criminal trials, he was now tasked with dissuading creative executives from making poor choices and explaining to agents why they should agree to a deal. “I suppose I find it enjoyable,” he admits. “There’s a certain satisfaction in debating and persuading someone to see things your way.

Following a year at SAG, Scharf transitioned to Fox TV, later moving on to Disney in 2002. It was during his tenure here that he struck two initial deals for the productions of “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana”. He distinctly remembers the day Miley Cyrus visited the office and serenaded a gathering of executives in formal attire. “We were all left wondering, ‘Who is this young woman?'” he recounts. “She displayed such courage.”

In 2006, he moved on to work for Jim Henson Company, taking up roles as their general counsel and managing various tasks such as film production and licensing negotiations for toys. It was during his tenure there that he came across the budding Amazon Studios, founded by Jeff Bezos, who were then looking to create a children’s show using some of Henson’s well-known intellectual properties.

Although it wasn’t produced, it still attracted Amazon’s attention,” Scharf notes. “Apparently, I selected the correct option, as I received a job offer.

Back when I signed up with Amazon Studios, I was merely one of the 40 pioneers stationed in an office nestled within the Sherman Oaks Galleria. I was well aware that the role was a gamble, considering almost every tech and e-commerce giant were attempting, largely unsuccessful, forays into content creation (even Overstock.com had their own streaming service). Yet, I found myself ready to roll the dice. “I simply felt the urge for change, took a leap of faith, and made it happen,” I recall saying.

Today, he occupies more luxurious workspaces at Amazon Studios, where over 2,200 employees are based. Lately, he has sealed agreements with MrBeast’s team regarding ‘Beast Games’ and also convinced Scott Stuber to transfer his production company to Amazon, aiming to revive the United Artists film label.

He advises seizing any opportunity to learn as they come along, reflecting his career viewpoint. After all, you never know what’s around the corner. – C.R.

You can find this story in the April 2nd edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To keep up with future issues, consider subscribing here.

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2025-04-04 16:32