James Michael Cline, known better by J. Michael Cline, was the late businessman who left the world in shock after he jumped from a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan in July 2024. At the time of his passing, J. Michael Cline’s net worth was a whopping $80 million.
The business world knew J. Michael Cline as the co-founder of Fandango, the famous movie ticketing firm. However, it wasn’t the only business he invested in – nor was it the only business he founded throughout his career.
Keep reading to learn more about J. Michael Cline, his career, life, and impressive net worth.
J. Michael Cline’s Net Worth Breakdown:
Throughout the years, Cline has participated in more than 12 different companies and has served on the board of directors for various organizations. Although the specifics of his shares or income in each venture are mostly unknown, we were able to gather enough information to estimate his net worth at around $80 million.
| Asset or Income Source | Contribution to Net Worth |
| Stake & earnings from Fandango | Unknown |
| Stakes in other ventures | Unknown |
| Real estate | $21+ million |
| Total Net Worth | $80 million |
J. Michael Cline Net Worth: Early Life and Education
James Michael Cline was born in New York City on November 13, 1959. His parents were James G. Cline, a managing partner at Dames & Moore, an environmental engineering firm; and Rose Marie Cline, a division administrator at the Lamont Doherty Geological Observatory at Columbia University.
J. Michael Cline earned his Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship in 1981 from Cornell University. After his graduation, he enrolled at Harvard Business School to study for his Master of Business Administration degree. He completed his education at Harvard University in 1985.
Personal Life
J. Michael Cline was married to Pamela Cline for nearly three decades. They married in 1995 and had six children together.
Cline’s Death
The finance executive behind Fandango died of apparent suicide in Manhattan after he jumped from the 20th floor of the Kimberly Hotel. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.
According to the NYPD’s statement, the officers responded to a call at 10:19 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The report said:
“Upon arrival, officers found an unconscious and unresponsive male with injuries indicative of a fall from an elevated position. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Even though the investigation continues, there is no criminality suspected. Cline reportedly left a note saying: “So sorry. I can’t explain the pain of f****** up this much. I love you all.”
Fandango founder J. Michael Cline dead at 64 after jumping from NYC hotel https://t.co/I5ppR6gwwG pic.twitter.com/XZE8cXBJn4
— Page Six (@PageSix) July 18, 2024
James Michael Cline Net Worth: The Successful Career of Fandango’s Founder
Cline got into the business world straight out of Cornell, founding his first business right after he obtained his Bachelor’s degree. He had since opened several business ventures, all of which led him to accumulate a fortune of over $80 million. Let’s see how he became a prominent figure in business circles.
Early Career
In 1982, J. Michael Cline founded Penguin Warmups in New York, where he took the role of chief executive officer. He worked for a year in this venture, all while earning an income as an associate for McKinsey & Company. He remained with McKinsey for two years between August 1981 and July 1983.
Cline’s first startup was a failure. When he listed this job on his LinkedIn profile, he shared:
“I was the first person to import hand warmers (the kind you buy when skiing) from Japan. Business failed. I had no idea what I was doing. Seriously.”
After McKinsey, Cline worked as a summer associate at Goldman Sachs. He then worked as vice president of marketing at the American Management Company, as well as had a short stint with General Atlantic.
By 1998, he was ready to found his next startup, Xchanging. He would go on to found several companies over the years, some more successful than others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCnY8V86CUA
Founding Fandango Media
Fandango Media LLC is a ticketing company that sells movie tickets via a mobile app and their official website. The Fandango brand also owns Fandango at Home (previously Vudu), which is a streaming digital service and video store, as well as Rotten Tomatoes, a site that provides streaming media information.
J. Michael Cline co-founded the Fandango service with Art Levitt back in 2000. This was his most successful business. In April 2007, the company was acquired by Comcast for an undisclosed sum. Fast forward to 2011, Cline left the company after over a decade of being its leader.
Even though he left the business, J. Michael Cline likely still held a stake in this business at the time of his death. Fandango has thrived over the years. In 2012, the business announced its partnership with Yahoo! Movies, becoming the official mobile ticketer for registered users of the service.
When he founded Fandango, Mr. Cline explained the reason for the company’s name, saying:
“A Fandango is fast and fun. Fandango is the perfect match to a service designed to make going to the movies easier and more enjoyable than ever before”.
Other Investments and Businesses of J. Michael Cline
Cline has been a prominent figure in the business world and the founder of at least 12 businesses, which contributed to his considerable wealth. He was also a chairman and member of different boards, and a major philanthropist leading a conservation organization.
Let’s take a look at what else he invested in over the years.
J. Michael Cline’s Many Businesses
In 1998, J. Michael Cline founded Xchanging, serving as the company’s chairman for a total of three years. Between 1998 and 2023, he established several other companies, including:
- Exuit
- Fandango
- Accumen Inc.
- R1 RCM
- Everspring Inc.
- Dresr
- Insureon
- Accolade, Inc.
- Stealth Mode Startup
- Accretive
Board Membership and Other Roles
At the time of his death, Cline was the executive chairman of Juxtapose. Juxtapose is an investment firm that builds and funds technology businesses. Cline was its chairman for over five years when he died.
Back in 2013, he was a vice chairman at Bridgewater Associates, the hedge fund founded by Ray Dalio.
In addition to this, Cline was a board member and executive chairman of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for nearly a decade.
Real Estate Assets
As a very wealthy man, Cline had invested quite a lot of money in real estate. His wealth allowed him to purchase luxury properties in several exclusive areas including Greenwich, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons.
He and his wife owned a $20.75 million property in Florida, which they acquired in 2020. Previously, they acquired a vacation home in Palm Beach for $9.22 million, which they reportedly sold at one point.
While the details haven’t been disclosed, the family reportedly had multi-million dollar mansions in Greenwich and the Hamptons, as well.
What Can We Learn from Cline’s Story?
Cline’s story provides several important lessons, particularly in how he navigated his high-profile career and made significant financial achievements in various industries (especially the entertainment industry).
Cline’s ability to make strategic investments played a crucial role in his success. Founding Fandango and investing in other ventures shows that identifying market trends and acting on them can lead to substantial financial success and gains.
Throughout his career, Cline demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. His role in leading multiple companies reflects his capacity to guide businesses to success. Cline’s influence extends across various industries, teaching us that it is possible to be successful in different fields.
Cline’s relentless pursuit of business opportunities, despite several failures such as his first startup Penguin Warmups, highlights the importance of perseverance and learning from one’s mistakes in life.
Despite his demanding career, Cline maintained a focus on his family life. He was married for nearly three decades, raising six children, and reportedly lived quite a healthy lifestyle. This ability to balance personal and professional responsibilities is a rarity these days and a great lesson for all.
Finally, Cline’s story underscores the importance of mental health, teaching us that even those with remarkable fortune aren’t immune to internal struggles. Despite his great financial achievements, Cline’s suicide highlights that mental health challenges can affect anyone. His passing serves as a reminder that the pursuit of business goals and hard work should be balanced with attention to mental well-being.