
Bernie Brillstein, pioneering manager and producer whose keen eye for talent led him to steer the careers of such stars and creatives as
John Belushi and
Jim Henson, died Thursday night of chronic pulmonary disease. He was 77.
Brillstein was an influential force in the 1975 launch of NBC mainstay ``Saturday Night Live'' as the manager of creator-exec producer
Lorne Michaels as well as stars Belushi,
Dan Aykroyd and
Gilda Radner.
In the 1980s, the Brillstein Co. was among the first contempo talent rep shingles to branch out into TV production in a significant way with shows packaged around clients, a list that included "ALF,'' "It's
Garry Shandling's Show,'' and "The Days and Nights of
Molly Dodd''.
Early in his career, Brillstein was mightily impressed by the talent and vision of a young puppeteer he'd met in New York. He repped Muppets creator Henson until the latter's death in 1990.
Variety obit
HEREIMDB HEREFrom "Hee Haw" to "The Blues Brothers" to "Mr. Show with Bob and David"...Bernie was ever-present and always jolly...we'll miss him dearly...
Thanks for the memories Bernie.
Labels: alf, bernie brillstein, gilda radner, jim henson, john belushi, snl, the muppets