Hollywood Agent Bernie Brillstein Dead

Hollywood talent icon Bernie Brillstein, an agent, manager, producer, and studio executive who has guided the careers of a number of Saturday Night Live comedians, as well as helming numerous TV and movie hits, has died at the age of 77, the Associated Press reports.

According to information provided by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, the power broker died on Thursday, August 7, in a Los Angeles hospital as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Though he began in the mailroom of the William Morris talent agency in 1956, Brillstein quickly moved up to become an iconic figure, brokering and arranging deals throughout Hollywood.

In addition to guiding the careers of comedian John Belushi and Muppets creator Jim Henson, Brillstein also helped to bring Saturday Night Live and The Sopranos onto television. He also played a role in the development of movies, serving as executive producer on the hit, Ghostbusters.

Though his role in Hollywood was a difficult one, Brillstein's devotion to his clients was clear.

"You're a wife. You really are," he once said in an interview. "You take care of everything and get them ready for the day."

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