Hollywood's Hottest Invite: Weekly Zoom Calls With Bill Clinton, Kamala Harris and More Luminaries

Amid the pandemic, TV and film producer Jamie Patricof has been hosting TED-like conversations with newsmakers and attended by hundreds of guests. Says Illumination's Chris Meledandri: "I find myself scheduling my week around them."

There’s a Cory Booker quote, shared by the New Jersey senator on his first day on the job in 2013, that has become something of an anthem for Emmy-winning film and TV producer Jamie Patricof (I Know This Much Is True, Blue Valentine): "Never let your inability to do everything undermine your determination to do something."

In that spirit, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to cripple industries in March, Patricof invited a few friends to join a Zoom event with his father, pioneering venture capitalist Alan Patricof. The reason was simple. "As everybody looked at his or her business getting turned upside down, I had a bunch of my friends asking what his thoughts were," explains the younger Patricof of the virtual gathering that drew 50 attendees. "People loved it and asked, 'Well, who’s next?' "

The answer revealed itself organically, he says, as a weekly conversation series called "Lunch With Jamie," as a nod to the noon timing (though few people actually eat) and the fact that the producer (@jamiepatricof) is a foodie. The format finds Patricof inviting his vast network to connect with a "guest of honor," with nearly 20 events to date and audiences of up to 350. The series has expanded to focus on racial equality after the police killing of George Floyd as well as voting rights.

The impressive lineup (booked by Jamie with help from assistant Rachel Halilej) has included Booker, Bill Clinton, Kamala Harris, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Mark Cuban, economist Mohamed El-Erian, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Congresswoman Katie Porter, politician and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, Verily's Dr. Andrew Conrad, and former Black Panther Albert Woodfox (Patricof is producing, along with Mahershala Ali, a film based on Woodfox’s life through his Hunting Lane banner).

"It’s a way for people to have a conversation in a private forum where they can ask questions, get inspired and, hopefully, make a change in their lives and take action," says Patricof, who repeats Booker’s quote each session.

"At a time where we are socially distanced, Jamie has created a dynamic, diverse and even vital virtual community," says Booker. “From teachers to actors to directors to small business owners to content creators, he is informing, uniting and igniting a powerful community of folks and most importantly of all, inspiring people to act for a more beloved community for all.”

Patricof is quick to point out that it’s not an exclusive, Hollywood-only invite list. His daughter’s fifth-grade teacher, Earl Hunter, is as welcome as fellow regular Gwyneth Paltrow, who tells THR the viewers can be as notable as the speakers. “Jamie’s Zooms really do feel just like having a big family conversation where we’re all learning together, even though there is always a great special guest, the entire group of people attending is just as inspiring." Attendees also include leaders from the nonprofit world.

Others who have logged on are AMPAS CEO Dawn Hudson, OWN president Tina Perry and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, who says, "I find myself scheduling my week around them because I come away from each session better informed.” Adds CAA’s Maha Dakhil: “Just as the world closed up, Jamie literally created a link to bring us together. Virtual salon hangouts with civic leaders, thought leaders and experts to inspire, educate and empower with a sense of community. His one request? Video on."

The series has also inspired real change. Patricof is proud that a voting-centered event led to almost 67 companies — including OWN, Amblin, ICM Partners, Kovert Creative, Bad Robot and Illumination — committing to making Election Day a paid holiday.

The series is free, with one exception. Ahead of Clinton’s talk, he shined a spotlight on Baby2Baby, the nonprofit co-founded by his wife, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, and Norah Weinstein. “My wife’s charity is always critical in everything that we do,” he explains of including the popular org that has distributed more than 30 million basic essentials including diapers, formula, shampoo, baby food and more during the pandemic and recently got a boost by volunteers Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

“It’s been very rewarding for me and very rewarding for the community of people who are participating,” he says, summing up the entire effort before forecasting his plans for the future of “Lunch With Jamie” — an upcoming installment with Hillary Clinton and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. “I'll continue to do these as long as one person is doing something they wouldn’t have done before.”

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Other Ways to Get Smarter During WFH

During the pandemic, some are devoting time at home to expand their wheelhouses with online class offerings.

ZEITGUIDE’S CULTURE CLASS The brainchild of Brad Grossman, (former cultural attaché to Brian Grazer), Culture Class is designed to expose people in business to relevant issues outside their everyday field of vision. “I’m helping people stay culturally aware. We have a global theme each week, such as how tech is hyper-accelerating culture and entertainment," says Grossman of his classes, which range from courses for small groups ($240 a month, zeitguide.com) to custom one-on-one sessions tailored for execs. Grossman, who publishes an annual cultural almanac titled Zeitguide, has designed courses for execs at Disney, ViacomCBS and Paramount Pictures. "I’m teaching you what’s happening in the world," he says, "and how it’s relevant to you and what you can do about it."

MASTERCLASS Five-year-old MasterClass — which offers 85 online courses with everyone from Martin Scorsese (on filmmaking) and Bob Iger (business strategy) to astronaut Chris Hadfield (space exploration) — is seeing major growth, with subscribers spending twice as much time on the site amid the pandemic than earlier in 2020. New offerings include ABC’s Robin Roberts teaching “effective and authentic communication” and L.A. urban farmer Ron Finley sharing insights on gardening ($180 a year, masterclass.com). — DEGEN PENER

A version of this story first appeared in the Sept. 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.