Michael Huffington

The portrait of Michael Huffington, American politician, major patron in the fine arts and international film producer, hangs at the top of the grand staircase of the newly launched Huffington Center at St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles.

The Huffington Center at Saint Sophia Cathedral, opened in January 2012, is a state of the art event venue located in the heart of Los Angeles in the Byzantine-Latino Quarter, dedicated to serving the community of Los Angeles. A non-profit entity, the Huffington Center was made possible by the generous donations of several key donors including Michael Huffington, the Maniatakos Family, Tom and Rita Hanks, Jim Gianopulos, as well as hundreds of other donors in the Saint Sophia Community. The Huffington Center was developed to serve the needs of the people by offering a place to gather and celebrate, to meet and discuss, to enjoy sports and performances and to be part of the greater community. They welcome everyone.

Michael Huffington is the son of Roy M. Huffington, founder of the natural gas exploration company HUFFCO. Mr Huffington cofounded the firm Simmons and Huffington in 1974 and served as vice chairman at Huffco from 1976 to 1990. He is also an American politician, serving as California Congressman from 1993-1995 and former husband of Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post from 1986-1997. Today he is a film producer of over 20 films since 1998 and founder of Huffington Films.

The portrait of Michael Huffington was painted at Gottlieb’s studio in Los Angeles over the period of three months in 2014. Mr Huffington came in person to appear for the artist in Gottlieb’s studio.  In an additional note of pride, Mr Huffington has loyally commissioned the artist on multiple occasions. A devoted connoisseur of contemporary painting, he personally chose the artist for his own portrait among numerous others because, as he said, “he is one of the most the gifted portrait painters of his time”.