Steve Sarowitz
{{short description|American businessman}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Steve Sarowitz
| image =
| alt = Headshot photo of Steve Sarowitz
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| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |53|2019|05|03}}{{cite web |title=Forbes profile: Steven Sarowitz |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/steven-sarowitz/ |website=Forbes |accessdate=18 November 2019}}
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| nationality = American
| education = University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
| occupation = Businessman
| known for = Founder of Paylocity
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| spouse = Jessica Sarowitz
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Steve Sarowitz (born 1965/1966) is an American billionaire businessman, and the founder of Paylocity.
Early life
Sarowitz earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Career
Sarowitz owned 44% of Paylocity at its IPO in March 2014, and 28% in April 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/citys-newest-billionaire-doesnt-plan-die-one|title=The city's newest billionaire doesn't plan to die one|author=|date=26 April 2019|website=Crain's Chicago Business|accessdate=3 May 2019}}
Sarowitz has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charity and plans to donate most of his wealth in the next decade. {{YouTube |f4r5N_QfNx0 |Billionaire Steve Sarowitz on Wealth, Philanthropy and Ethical Success}}
In December 2024, Sarowitz joined Justin Baldoni and others in filing a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging that a Times article about the dispute defamed them by misrepresenting communications and spreading a “categorically false” narrative.{{cite web| title=Steve Sarowitz, Justin Baldoni, and Others File $250 Million Libel Suit Against The New York Times |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-story-1236097268/ |date=December 28, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2025}} Later that month, Sarowitz was sued by actress Blake Lively as a co-founder of production company Wayfarer Studios after allegedly saying he was prepared to spend $100 million to defend against Lively's allegations during the production of the 2024 film It Ends with Us against Sarowitz's business partner, director and cast member Justin Baldoni, and producer Jamey Heath.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/12/21/blake-lively-accuses-it-ends-with-us-co-star-justin-baldoni-of-sexual-harassment-and-smear-campaign/|title=Blake Lively Accuses ‘It Ends With Us’ Co-Star Justin Baldoni Of Sexual Harassment And Smear Campaign|author=Ty Roush|date=21 December 2024|website=Forbes|accessdate=21 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Blake Lively Sues It Ends With Us Director Justin Baldoni |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/01/g-s1-40731/blake-lively-sues-it-ends-with-us-director-justin-baldoni |work=NPR |date=January 1, 2025 |access-date=March 4, 2025}}
In January 2025, Sarowitz, along with Baldoni and other associates, filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist. They alleged that Lively's claims were false and amounted to civil extortion.{{cite web |title=Justin Baldoni sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, alleging Hollywood power couple sought to 'destroy' him |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/justin-baldoni-sues-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-it-ends-with-us-1236275949/ |website=Variety |date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=March 4, 2025}}
Personal life
Sarowitz is married to Jessica; the couple lives in Highland Park, Illinois. He was raised Jewish, but later embraced the Baháʼí Faith.
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:American billionaires
Category:American company founders
Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni
Category:Converts to the Bahá'í Faith from Judaism
Category:20th-century American Jews
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