THR's Women in Entertainment 2011: Power 100

Gabler learned to read when she was just 3 years old, giving her ample time to develop her keen eye when it came to spinning books into film adaptations. "My mom," she explains, "was a second-grade teacher and I was an experiment for her."

Gabler is among the most respected production chiefs in Hollywood, although Fox 2000 has had a rocky 2011. David Frankel's The Big Year, starring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson, fell flat at the box office, while tween pic Monte Carlo came and went without notice. Water for Elephants, starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz, did acceptable business -- grossing $117.1 million worldwide -- but wasn't a breakout hit.

PHOTOS: THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100

Still, Gabler's division should end 2011 on a high note with the Christmas release of threequel Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked. Combined, the first two Alvin films grossed north of $800 million worldwide. Gabler also is immersed these days in the production of Christmas 2012 event pic Life of Pi, an adaptation of the best-selling book that Ang Lee is directing. She's also got surfing biopic Of Men and Mavericks coming up for 2012.

Across the film industry, Gabler is commended for her intellect and deft touch in working with filmmakers and talent. One of Gabler's secret weapons is her 9-year-old daughter, who has her own desk in Gabler's office. "She's my primary focus and the light of my life. This summer, she organized all the Life of Pi folders and helped deliver mail," says Gabler, 55. Her daughter accompanies her to set visits and even gave notes to Mike Mitchell, who directed Chip-Wrecked. "They were all positive, thankfully," she says. "It's amazing to be able to invest in her and see her wide-eyed approach."