Bernie Brillstein, Hollywood Power Broker, Dies At 77

Bernie Brillstein, the successful Hollywood manager and producer, died Thursday night after suffering complications from double-bypass surgery he received in February.

The official cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a statement by Brillstein Entertainment Partners CEO Jon Liebman.

Brillstein began his career in the mailroom at William Morris Agency in 1956, working his way up to become a power broker in the television and film industry.

Brillstein formed The Brillstein Company in 1969, where he produced such popular television hits as Hee Haw, The Muppet Show and Saturday Night Live. He also helped guide the careers of John Belushi and Muppets creator Jim Henson,

In 1991, he and partner Brad Grey founded the influential management and production company Brillstein-Grey Entertainment. The company was responsible for The Larry Sanders Show and The Sopranos.

Brillstein's 1999 memoir, Where Did I Go Right?: You’re No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead, was co-written with David Rensin.

His longtime partner Brad Grey and his longtime client Lorne Michaels are making arrangements for a memorial service for next week.

Brillstein, who was married several times, is survived by his wife, Carrie; sons Michael Brillstein, David Koskoff and Nick Koskoff; daughters Kate Brillstein and Leigh Brillstein, and a grandson, Alden.

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