Bernie Brillstein, the white-haired grizzly-bear-like old-school Hollywood fixture who worked his way up from the William Morris Agency mailroom in 1956 to become one of the most powerful managers in the entertainment industry died Thursday at age 77.

Brillstein died of what was described as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Brillstein served as a talent agent, manager, producer and studio head during a career that spanned more than 50 years. He guided the careers of many top comedians and comedy writers as well as launching “Saturday Night Live” on NBC in the mid-1970s. Some former clients include John Belushi, Gilda Radner , Dan Aykroyd, Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Jim Henson, Bill Maher, Dennis Miller, David Spade, Natalie Portman, Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Bob Odenkirk and Lorne Michaels.

Lorne Michaels said yesterday:

“I spoke to Bernie most days over the past 36 years. For my generation, he was a direct link to show business in the 1950s and ’60s in New York. But beyond that, he was just the best human being. He loved talent and he loved show business, yet what was most remarkable was the way Bernie somehow kept his balance in a world where people do just awful things to each other. He never gave up his heart. He was one of the most decent and generous people I’ve ever known.”

To learn more about the life and career of Bernie Brillstein read his autobiography entitled “Where Did I Go Right: You’re No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead”

Tweet This Post 

• Bernie Mac = Dead
• Albrecht Out – An Editorial from the Psychic Lair
• Regency TV closes its doors after 10 years
• The Biz – online social networking for entertainment business
• He used to be The Hulk