Barry Diller’s Memoir Reveals Personal Truths and Industry Insights

It has long been an open secret within elite social circles: Barry Diller is gay, yet he maintains a genuine and committed marriage with Diane von Furstenberg.

Following this carefully managed disclosure, one might wonder if Diller’s memoir, titled "Who Knew," merits the investment of $30. The answer remains subjective.

There is a certain comfort in seeing Diller commit to the traditional memoir format, especially from someone whose career has often defied convention and reshaped media landscapes.

Starting his career at ABC during the challenging late 1960s, Diller was instrumental in creating the immensely popular 90-minute Movie of the Week. This programming innovation paved the way for landmark mini-series such as "Roots," which dramatically altered television storytelling.

As Paramount’s chairman and CEO in the early 1980s, Diller boldly embraced the home video market, releasing titles like "An Officer and a Gentleman" on cassette even while still in theaters. This unconventional strategy paradoxically boosted its box office success.

A decade later, during his tenure at the QVC shopping network, Diller realized screens could serve purposes beyond narrative content, pioneering innovative advertising approaches, including the memorable slogan, “BUY UNDERWEAR IN YOUR UNDERWEAR.”