James Goldsmith

About

French politician, financier, and publisher who said, 'If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.' He is cited as the inspiration for the character of the corporate raider Sir Larry Wildman in the Oliver Stone film Wall Street.

Before Fame

He won 8000 pounds on a 10 pound bet on a horse race, then proceeded to drop out of college.

Trivia

He was nominated to be a Member of the European Parliament to represent France in 1994 and also founded the UK's Referendum Party.

Family Life

His parents were Major Frank Goldsmith and Marcelle Moullier.

Associated With

After he died, Margaret Thatcher said that he "was one of the most powerful and dynamic personalities that this generation has seen."