First worked for a theatrical agent in order to pay his way through medical school. However, he ended up abandoning medicine to study law at Columbia Law School. Upon graduation, he started his own law firm, specialising in talent management. Through this involvement he met Irwin Winkler, setting up the lucrative company Chartoff-Winkler Productions in 1965.
Educated at Union College and Columbia University. Worked frequently with Irwin Winkler.
He and his wife, Jennifer Chartoff, have an adopted daughter Miranda. He has two other daughters, Julie and Jenifer Chartoff, and two sons, Billy and Charley Chartoff, from two previous marriages.
Established the RC Charitable Foundation in 1990 to award grants to international schools and other child agencies.