Michael Hammer
Born 1955 · Age 70
American businessman and philanthropist; grandson of Armand Hammer. Tied to Occidental Petroleum, oversaw Armand Hammer Foundation and Hammer International Foundation, owned Hammer Galleries, Hammer Productions and was owner/CEO of the Knoedler gallery.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Los Angeles, California
Michael Armand Hammer was born to Glenna Sue (née Ervin) and Julian Armand Hammer in Los Angeles.
Graduated University of San Diego (BBA)
Completed a degree in business administration at the University of San Diego.
Worked at Kidder, Peabody & Co. (NYC)
Served in various roles at the New York securities and investment banking firm Kidder, Peabody & Co. prior to joining Occidental Petroleum.
Earned MBA from Columbia Business School
Graduated from Columbia University Graduate School of Business with an MBA.
Joined Occidental Petroleum
Began working for the family-linked Occidental Petroleum; posted to facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, London, and Oman.
Worked in multiple Occidental postings
Worked for Occidental Petroleum in Texas, Oklahoma, London and Oman (early-to-mid 1980s postings described).
Moved to Occidental HQ (Los Angeles); named VP and joined Board & Exec Committee
Relocated to Occidental's LA headquarters, became a vice president and shortly thereafter a member of the board of directors and executive committee.
Converted to Christianity
Became a Christian upon marrying Dru Ann Mobley; remained a benefactor of Christian organizations.
Married Dru Ann Mobley
Married Dru Ann Mobley in Tulsa, Oklahoma (ceremony at First Methodist Church).
Birth of son Armie Hammer
One of his two children, actor Armie Hammer, was born (year cited in the article).
Birth of son Viktor Hammer
Birth of his second son, Viktor Hammer, later a businessman and entrepreneur.
Death of grandfather Armand Hammer (influence)
Armand Hammer (industrialist, grandfather) died in 1990; the event is cited as temporally near Michael Hammer's departure from Occidental.
Left Occidental Petroleum
Departed Occidental Petroleum (the article notes his exit not long after his grandfather's death).
Began oversight of family foundations
Oversaw the Hammer International Foundation and the Armand Hammer Foundation (exact start dates not specified).
Owned Hammer Galleries (start of ownership, approximate)
Owned Hammer Galleries (art dealing); exact acquisition/founding date not specified in source; ownership noted in biography.
Operated Hammer Productions (TV & film)
Owned Hammer Productions, a television and film production company located in Los Angeles; date of founding/ownership not specified precisely.
Hammer International invests in Avenue Entertainment; joined its board
Hammer International took a stake in Avenue Entertainment Group and Michael joined the company's board following the investment.
Appointed director of OnVANTAGE, Inc.
Named to the board/director role at OnVANTAGE, Inc.; OnVANTAGE was later acquired by StarCite, Inc.
Affiliations: LA Dream Center, Oral Roberts University (approx.)
Served on the board of directors and executive committee for the Los Angeles Dream Center and on the Investment Committee and Board of Reference for Oral Roberts University (specific start dates not provided).
Owner & Chief Executive of Knoedler gallery (start of known ownership, approximate)
Was owner and chief executive of the Knoedler, an art dealership in New York City (exact acquisition date not provided; he was owner prior to 2011 closure).
Historic Paul Williams mansion destroyed by fire
The Paul Williams-designed, 1920s Tudor-style mansion in which he formerly resided was destroyed by fire during renovation.
Knoedler gallery closed amid forged-painting scandal
The Knoedler gallery closed in 2011 after purchasing and reselling approximately $80 million in forged paintings attributed to artists such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock.
Divorced Dru Ann Mobley
Divorced after 27 years of marriage (married in 1985; divorce finalized in 2012).
Married Misty Millward
Married Misty Millward on May 30, 2017.
Died from cancer
Michael Armand Hammer died on November 20, 2022, at age 67; cause reported as cancer.
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