Famed agent and movie producer Jerry Weintraub has passed away at age 77.
Mr. Weintraub began his career as an agent, successfully cultivating the careers of John Denver, Karen Carpenter and many others. He also became a concert promoter, working with such heavyweights as Frank Sinatra and Elvis. It was Mr. Weintraub's work in Hollywood, however, that made him a legend.
Mr. Weintraub's first produced film was Robert Altman's Nashville, a film whose success both at the box office and with critics catapulted him to dizzying heights. He became the chairman and CEO of United Artists, but left after just five months, forming the Weintraub Entertainment Group.
While his new venture produced a few cult classics like Troop Beverly Hills, it eventually failed and was subsumed by Columbia Pictures. Mr. Weintraub's biggest hit with Columbia was The Karate Kid which surprised industry analysts with the size of its success.
Jerry never really retired and continued to work on various projects, including the current HBO television show The Brink.
