Trump
The Donald is going Hollywood.
Real estate mogul-turned-TV host Donald Trump is launching an L.A.-based production shingle, tapping staffer Andy Litinsky to run it.
Litinsky is a former contestant on "The Apprentice" who's spent the last 2½ years working for the Trump Organization's real estate business.
While Trump is already a producer on "The Apprentice" and the various pageants he produces for NBC, this marks the first time he'll be actively developing projects.
"There are so many things being thrown at me, a lot of them based in L.A., I just thought it would be appropriate," Trump told
Daily Variety. "It's a business I like."
As much as he enjoys showbiz, "I'm not giving up the real estate," Trump quipped.
Trump has not made a final decision on the name for his shingle, though he said it likely will include his name.
One of the first productions likely to spring from the company will be a TV take on Monopoly that Trump is developing with R.J. Cutler (
Daily Variety, June 7).
As for Litinsky, Trump noted his new production topper has a degree from Harvard.
"He's a very capable guy," Trump said.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com