Legendary Hollywood Producer Debra Martin Chase Almost Left the Industry—But Vernon Jordan Convinced Her to Stay
Debra Martin Chase, the powerhouse behind beloved films like The Princess Diaries and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, came close to stepping away from Hollywood a decade ago. Today, she is the CEO of Martin Chase Productions, but there was a time when she questioned her place in the entertainment industry.
Speaking at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Laguna Niguel, California, Chase opened up about how, around ten years ago, the industry seemed to be losing interest in diverse stories—especially those centered around women and people of color. “It was a time in the business where nobody was interested in making TV or movies about women, about women of color, about people of color,” Chase shared during her main stage interview. “I would go in and pitch stuff and people’s eyes would glaze over.”
This period was particularly disheartening for Chase, who had dedicated her career to championing diversity in film and television. She wanted her work to shape culture and industry standards, but instead, she found herself pitching ideas that no longer resonated. “It didn’t have meaning for me. And if it doesn’t have meaning for me, I can’t sell it,” she explained. At that point, Chase, who had spent two decades working with Disney, thought her run in entertainment was over.
She considered exploring other career paths, including returning to law, having earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School. But it was a close friend and trusted mentor, Vernon Jordan Jr., who ultimately convinced her to stick it out. Jordan, a respected business executive, civil rights leader, and close advisor to President Bill Clinton, passed away in 2021 at age 85. Chase had known him since she was 18 years old.
“He was an expert in life and knew me well,” Chase said. “I poured my heart out to him, and he looked at me and said, ‘You are too old to do anything else.'” The humor of the remark made her laugh, but Jordan’s real message hit home: “You have a great reputation, you have great relationships, you have great experience. You need to figure out how to make it work.”
Jordan’s words were the wake-up call Chase needed. She recommitted to her career and, as she literally demonstrated on stage, gave herself the push to continue pursuing film production.
The Power of Sisterhood in Hollywood
Beyond Jordan’s influence, Chase credits the support of her peers—particularly fellow Hollywood trailblazers Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group, and Nina Shaw, founding partner of entertainment law firm Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang. According to Chase, sisterhood has been a vital ingredient in her success and survival in the entertainment industry.
“These women have literally held me up,” Chase said, reflecting on how the three have helped one another navigate Hollywood. The bond among the trio goes back decades. Shaw first met Chase when she was a summer clerk and Chase was working as a paralegal. Their friendship blossomed alongside their careers, with another significant figure in their lives being Anita Hill, who also clerked alongside Shaw and Chase during her early legal career.
Their shared history and enduring sisterhood have been a source of strength and resilience, allowing Chase and her peers to overcome the industry’s obstacles and continue pushing for change.
Today, Debra Martin Chase remains a powerful force in Hollywood, continuing her mission to tell diverse stories and create impactful work. Thanks to the wisdom of Vernon Jordan and the unwavering support of her peers, she has proven that perseverance, vision, and sisterhood can overcome even the most challenging times in the entertainment world.
