Jerry Weintraub, whose career touched nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry, has died. He was 77.
His publicists told the Hollywood Reporter that he died Monday of cardiac arrest in Santa Barbara.
Today, Weintraub is better known for his incredible film producing credits, which range from Robert Altman’s Nashville and The Karate Kid to Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven trilogy. He was also a three-time Emmy winner, winning in 1975 for An Evening With John Denver and then for 2013’s Behind The Candelabra (directed by Soderbergh) and 2014’s Years of Living Dangerously.
Other films he produced include Diner, Vegas Vacation, Cruising and the Karate Kid sequels. He is also a producer on HBO’s just-premiered show The Brink and Warner Bros.’ upcoming Tarzan movie.
But Weintraub’s life in entertainment began in the music business. As the New York Times notes, after serving in the Army, he became an NBC page, then an assistant to Lew Wasserman at the MCA talent agency. In 1964, he struck out on his own to create a new management company.
He somehow became friends with Colonel Tom Parker, which brought him into the Elvis Presley fold. After helping get a Presley tour launched, he attracted more artists, even including Frank Sinatra. During the 1970s, his clients included Led Zeppelin, John Denver, The Moody Blues, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton and more.
Weintraub was a showman to the very end, even showing up at the 2014 Emmys with jeweled slippers to pick up the Candelabra awards.
“In the coming days there will be tributes about our friend Jerry Weintraub. We’ll laugh at his great stories, and applaud his accomplishments,” Oceans star Clooney said in a statement to Variety. “And in the years to come the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it. But not today. Today our friend died. To his family and friends, Amal and I send our love. And to those who didn’t know him we send our deepest sympathy. You would have loved him.”
Weintraub is survived by his wife Jane, four children and five grandchildren.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com
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