Former Paramount chief raises curtain on new act

Last year Sherry Lansing stepped down as chairman of Viacom's Paramount Motion Picture Group , ending more than 20 years in the industry. A former model and actress, Lansing rose from story editor at MGM to become the first woman to head a major motion picture studio when she took the helm at 20th Century Fox . At Paramount, Lansing was involved with 200 films including ''Forrest Gump" and ''Fatal Attraction." Lansing, 61, spoke with Globe reporter Diane Lewis.

Q: What was it like to be the only woman in a business dominated by males?

A: When I was promoted by MGM, I went to the head of the studio and asked for a raise because I was not making as much as the men, who were probably making 15 to 20 percent more.

The studio head said, ''Well, you don't have to support a family and you're single. You're making enough."

But there were no other women in the industry, and the women's movement was just starting. Today, that would have led to a huge lawsuit.

Q: Did you have many mentors?

A: I had a lot of male mentors. And, all of my bosses were very supportive. For example, [producer] Dan Melnick gave me an opportunity to work at MGM.

Q: How did you get your first big break in the industry?

A: I graduated from Northwestern University, packed my things, and drove across country to California. I was a substitute teacher in Los Angeles. When school was out, I tried to get work in the movie industry. I tried acting, but I wasn't comfortable with it.

My first break was a job reading scripts for $5 an hour. My job was to write a synopsis. I had a tiny office and a pile of scripts, but I felt like I had found my niche.

Q: What movies did you produce that you are particularly fond of?

A: When I was a producer, I produced ''Fatal Attraction," ''Indecent Proposal," and ''The Accused." I was also involved with ''Kramer vs Kramer." I did not produce ''The Hours," but I read the book. Then, I got the script for ''The Hours," and I thought it was brilliant.

Q: Why did you leave the industry?

A. I loved the movie business, but I had done everything I had dreamed of. So I felt like I was repeating myself. The highs were not as high. The lows were not as low. At 60, I wanted a third chapter.

Q: You recently formed the Sherry Lansing Foundation , which focuses on cancer research, health, and education. Is this your third chapter?

A: I am getting up every day and working on things I care about. After the state of California voted to spend $3 billion on stem cell research, the government appointed many people from the scientific community and two from the business community to sit on an oversight committee. I am one of the individuals from business.

Cancer research has been a passion of mine since my mother died of ovarian cancer at 64. So I have created a foundation, and it is dedicated to cancer research and education. I am also a regent of the University of California.

Q: You were slated to speak at yesterday's Simmons School of Management Leadership Conference, which is aimed at helping women get ahead in the business world. What did you want them to know?

A: That the world has changed considerably, which means young women today have so many options. They can choose to have a career, not to have a career, or to have both. But you cannot do all of the things you want at the same time. You can do them sequentially. Otherwise, you will be forever pulled and feeling guilty.

Q: What is your advice for succeeding at work?

A: You have to enjoy the steps along the way. People who succeed will tell you that they loved what they were doing. They were passionate, committed. They worked hard, didn't give up, and they made sacrifices. You also need luck.