Larry Probst
He transformed a modest video game publisher into a global entertainment empire, shaping how the world plays.
Born 1950 (age 76)·American businessman·Birthday: June 3·Baby Boomers
Biography
Larry Probst, a California native with a background in consumer goods, stepped into the nascent video game industry in 1984, joining Electronic Arts as a VP of sales. His ascent to CEO in 1991 marked the beginning of a defining era. Probst possessed a steady, corporate-minded vision that steered EA through explosive growth, shifting its focus from creative collectives to a disciplined, franchise-driven model. Under his leadership, EA aggressively acquired studios and secured major licenses for sports and entertainment, turning series like FIFA, Madden NFL, and The Sims into perennial powerhouses. He understood the global market early, establishing EA as a dominant international publisher. After stepping down as CEO, his influence continued as chairman and through his pivotal role with the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he applied his business acumen to athletic governance.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Larry was born in 1950, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Larry Was Born
The biggest hits of 1950
#1 Movie
Cinderella
Best Picture
All About Eve
#1 TV Show
Texaco Star Theatre
Larry's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1950Born
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1955Started school
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $9,550Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsBest Picture: Marty
1963Became a teenager
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1966Could drive
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1968Could vote
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1971Turned 21
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1980Turned 30
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1990Turned 40
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 50
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 60
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 70
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 76 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as CEO of Electronic Arts for 16 years, overseeing its rise to become one of the world's largest video game publishers.
- Secured exclusive, long-term licensing deals with major sports leagues including the NFL, FIFA, and the PGA Tour.
- Guided EA's initial public offering in 1989 and its subsequent expansion into European and Asian markets.
- Served as Chairman of the United States Olympic Committee from 2008 to 2019.
Did You Know?
Before joining EA, he worked for Clorox, selling consumer products like Fresh Step cat litter.
He was a member of the board of directors for the controversial video game retailer GameStop.
He is an avid fly fisherman and owns a cattle ranch.
“Our business is about creating great games and building lasting franchises.”
