Strauss Zelnick is the chairman and chief executive officer of Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games and 2K. He has served as Take-Two's chairman since March 2007 and as CEO since January 2011.1

Career

Zelnick founded the media investment firm ZMC in 2001 and remains its managing partner. Take-Two's official biography records earlier senior roles at BMG Entertainment, 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures, as well as board positions across media and entertainment companies.1

He became executive chairman of Take-Two in 2007 through ZelnickMedia's management relationship with the company, then added the chief executive role in 2011. During his tenure, Take-Two has overseen publishing labels including Rockstar Games and 2K and expanded through new studios, franchises and acquisitions.

Role at Take-Two

As chairman and CEO, Zelnick is Take-Two's senior corporate spokesperson on strategy, financial performance, release timing and the company's portfolio. His public comments frequently concern major Rockstar releases, including Grand Theft Auto, but development and creative decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant publishing labels and studios.

Zelnick speaks for Take-Two on corporate matters, but that does not make him the author or creative lead of individual Rockstar games.

Education

Take-Two's official biography states that Zelnick received a BA from Wesleyan University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a JD from Harvard Law School.1

References

  1. Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive, accessed July 28, 2026.