It hired a number of well-known actors as contract players-its slogan was 'more stars than there are in heaven'-and soon became Hollywood's most prestigious filmmaking company, producing popular musical films and winning many Academy Awards. MGM was formed by Marcus Loew by combining Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B. Founded on April 17, 1924, and based in Beverly Hills, California, it is owned by the Amazon MGM Studios subsidiary of Amazon. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM), is an American media company specializing in film and television production and distribution.