RIP Bernie Brillstein

A character and a half. I like this detail:

In his 1999 memoir, "Where Did I Go Right? -- You're No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead," he recalled that early on at William Morris Agency in New York, he helped negotiate a Broadway musical deal for an actress -- only to find out that she had been dead for four years.

"Now that's classic agenting," he recalled. "We got a dead person a $250-a-week raise. I knew I was in the right business."

He was my client and I loved this man so dearly and my heart is broken. He was the nicest kindest soul and so much fun to work with. He will be sorely missed in this town.

He was your client! I must know more. (Uh, if you don't mind.)

No, don't mind. I work business management and have rich and famous clients from talent managers (like Bernie) to actors/actresses, screenwriters, producers & musicians. Won't mention any names, but they're all people who you might read about in the trades and unfortunately in the tabloids at the grocery store check out line!

RIP. saw him interviewed in countless snl/belishi docs, and wasn't he on the extras for larry sanders? he seemed very sharp, but also very warm.

He was SO very sharp, funny and oh so very amicable. I am devastated that I won't hear his voice on the phone daily. It's been five months that he's been ill and not calling, yet there was not a minute that I thought this would be the end. My heart is broken.

He produced Sanders AND THE SOPRANOS. jebezus.

seriously. this dude was pretty legendary. RIP.

Legendary indeed! Most of the major (successful) comedians over the last 40 years were repped by Bernie. Last night was his memorial. It was held in Royce Hall at UCLA. About 1400 people were there. I hear that in spite of the fact that Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder" is supposed to be pretty good, last night's premiere was basically a no show except for actors starring in the picture, fans and photogs; since most of the rest of Hollywood were at Bernie's memorial! The service was outstanding. Funny, poignant and truly an overall celebration of an Industry Icon's life. I sobbed like a baby when Kermit the frog sang "Rainbow Connection". OMG. Here's a couple of links of the event.

http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/bernie_brillstein/index.html

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/08/12/Blues_Bros_perform_at_Brillstein_memorial/UPI-75981218564079/

I sobbed like a baby when Kermit the frog sang "Rainbow Connection"

:-) A live performance? Very cool, and very apt.

wow. thanks for sharing wiggy.

How many Bernies must die in a summer?

Hey Burt,
It seems a precedent has been set at two! I have said in more that a few places that I feel irrationally peeved at Bernie Mac for dying a day after "my" Bernie. I felt it stole some of BB's thunder. It really didn't if you take a look at the links for BB's funeral and memorial service. There was an unbelievable turn out for BB at Royce Hall.

Yes, thanks Ned and S1ocki, it was really an unforgettable experience, much like the man who was Bernie Brillstein. To know him is/was to love him. They don't make them like that anymore, which was a large topic of conversation at the memorial..."will there ever be" someone who is of BB's caliber, or was he the last of his breed and never to be seen again...

Which is a large part of my world just now - I am questioning the things I used to think were givens, now that I am about to divorce my husband. earlier today I wended my way back to the thread about love unrequited. I am also suddenly more active on ILX since my office installed Web(non)Sense and I can't spend the time I used to on Flickr playing with photos and photo people. It's oddly comforting tho to be here again, since ILX was my first foray into any public blog-type chat forum. It was my good fortune to stumble upon the group of you ILXers who are above what I seem to find on the Web as the standard chatty- bloggers. You're studious, educated, intelligent and able to articulate a concise answer to most any subject you choose to debate; a quality I fiercely miss in most public boards. Thanks, and I hope I am able to assimilate myself back into the ILX crew without too much harassment, chiding and retribution.

Should all be good. Just take it one post at a time!

That's the best 3 paragraphs I've read this year, and I'm not saying that because I'm for some reason on the internet right now.

thank you so much for the links wiggy. am waiting on amazon to send me a copy of bernie's autobiography - never knew existed until he passed, otherwise i would've gotten it earlier.

Thanks all for kind comments. Bernie's memorial was videotaped by Don (Donald) KIRSHNER company and when the dust settles there is a good chance that I will have access to copies of it. If you're interested in a copy, just let me know. I am happy to send you a dub.