Donny Deutsch

Donny Deutsch Headshot

Personality • Executive

Birth Name: Donald Jay Deutsch

Birth Date: November 22, 1957

Age: 66 years old

Birth Place: Queens, New York

As famous for his boisterous personality as he was for his keen business acumen, Donny Deutsch is known to many for his regular appearances on "The Apprentice" (NBC, 2004-2015) and his own show, "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" (CNBC, 2005-2008). Born in Queens, New York in 1957, Deutsch's father, David Deutsch, founded the groundbreaking Madison Avenue advertising firm Deutsch Inc. It was after attending Wharton Business School that Deutsch was inspired to follow in his father's footsteps. He first tried the Ogilvy & Mather's executive training program, but found it was a bad fit for his creative temperament. In 1984, he began working at his father's company, where he excelled. By 1989, he was CEO, and by 2000, he was selling the business for just under $300 million. Deutsch began appearing on "The Apprentice" in 2004, which led to his own show premiering in 2005. That same year, he published his first book, Often Wrong, Never in Doubt: Unleash the Business Rebel Within. "The Big Idea" would run until 2008, though Deutsch would continue to make regular appearances on shows like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" (ABC/Syndicated, 2002-) and "Piers Morgan Tonight" (CNN, 2011-14). In 2015, Deutsch began starring on the comedy "Donny!" (USA, 2015-), playing a fictional version of himself.