Bernard Jules Brillstein (April 26, 1931 – August 7, 2008) was an American film and television producer, executive producer, and talent agent.
He began his career in the 1950s at the William Morris Agency before founding his own company in 1969 and later joining forces with Brad Grey to helm Brillstein-Grey Entertainment (now Brillstein Entertainment Partners), one of the most important and influential Hollywood talent management and production companies. He is remembered for producing successful TV programs like Hee Haw, The Muppet Show, and The Sopranos, and hit films including The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters and Happy Gilmore.
Early life Bernie Brillstein was born to a Jewish familyJewish Journal: "The Heroes of Jewish Comedy" by Tom Teicholz July 3, 2003 in Manhattan, to Moe Brillstein and Matilda "Tillie" Brillstein (née Perlman), who all shared the Manhattan home of his uncle, the vaudeville and radio performer Jack Pearl. Brillstein's father, a milliner, was the guiding force behind the building of the Millinery Center Synagogue, a synagogue located in the Garment District in Manhattan.
Career Brillstein earned his way into show business in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency (WMA) in New York. He worked his way up to talent agent and by the 1960s, he was a manager-producer of television programming for the company. Still associated with WMA, he joined Management III in 1964 to continue talent management. In the 1960s, he also co-founded the vocal group The Doodletown Pipers.
The Brillstein Company By now living in Los Angeles, Brillstein formed The Brillstein Company in 1969. There, he continued to manage stars and develop television programming. He produced such popular television hits as Hee Haw, The Muppet Show and Saturday Night Live.
Brillstein later became manager of SNL alumni Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Martin Short, and executive producer Lorne Michaels, as well as Jim Henson (of Muppets fame) and Paul Fusco (voice and operator of ALF). He produced such other television shows as ALF: The Animated Series, and Normal Life. He was also exclusive producer to the animation sequel The Real Ghostbusters (based on the hit movie).
Brillstein-Grey Entertainment In the 1980s, he met Brad Grey at a television convention in San Francisco. In 1991, the two formed a production company, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, which packages programming and manages talent. They were responsible for such shows as NewsRadio, The Steve Harvey Show, Just Shoot Me!, The Larry Sanders Show and The Sopranos. As executive producer, Brillstein was responsible for such successes as The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, Dragnet, Ghostbusters II, Happy Gilmore and The Cable Guy. Brillstein sold his shares in the company to Grey, his one time protégé, in 1996. Grey sold his interest in the company in 2005. He also represented Nick Swardson for six years prior to his death.
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. Two years later, he received the honor as recipient of a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, on April 18, 2001. His second book The Little Stuff Matters Most, a humorous advice collection, was published in 2004.
Personal life In 1967, Brillstein married Laura Smith. In 1975, he married Deborah Ellen Koskoff. In 1998, Brillstein married Carrie Winston Brillstein, a marriage that lasted until his 2008 death.
Brillstein died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a Los Angeles hospital on August 7, 2008, at the age of 77.Cieply, Michael (August 8, 2008). Bernie Brillstein, Film Producer, Dies. The New York Times
Filmography He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
Film Year Film Credit Notes 1980 Up the Academy Executive producer The Blues Brothers Executive producer 1981 Continental Divide Executive producer Neighbors Executive producer 1983 Doctor Detroit Executive producer 1984 Ghostbusters Executive producer 1985 Summer Rental Executive producer Spies Like Us Executive producer 1987 Dragnet Executive producer 1989 Ghostbusters II Executive producer 1993 Hexed Executive producer 1996 Happy Gilmore Executive producer The Cable Guy Executive producer Bulletproof Executive producer 1998 The Replacement Killers 2000 What Planet Are You From? Executive producer 2002 Run Ronnie Run! Executive producer 2004 Jiminy Glick in Lalawood Final film as a producer
Thanks
Year Film Role 2008 A Federal Case Acknowledgment
Television Year Title Credit Notes 1973 The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour Executive producer 1974 The Muppets Valentine Show Executive producer Television special 1981 Open All Night Executive producer 1982 The Valentine's Day That Almost Wasn't Executive producer Television special 1983 Sitcom Executive producer Television film 1983−1984 Buffalo Bill Executive producer 1985 Big Shots in America Executive producer Television short 1986 Comedy Factory Executive producer 1986−1990 ALF Executive producer It's Garry Shandling's Show Executive producer 1987 CBS Summer Playhouse Executive producer 1987−1991 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Executive producer 1987−1989 ALF: The Animated Series Executive producer 1988 ALF Tales Executive producer The Boys Executive producer 1989 The Wickedest Witch Executive producer Television film 1990 Normal Life Executive producer Don't Try This at Home! Executive producer Television film A Very Retail Christmas Executive producer Television short 1991 Good Sports Executive producer Space Cats Executive producer 1992 The Please Watch the Jon Lovitz Special Executive producer Television special 1995−1999 NewsRadio Executive producer 1995−1997 The Jeff Foxworthy Show Executive producer Mr. Show with Bob and David Executive producer The Naked Truth Executive producer 1996 For Hope Executive producer Television film Mr. Show with Bob and David: Fantastic Newness Executive producer Television short 1996−2002 The Steve Harvey Show Executive producer Politically Incorrect Executive producer 1997−2003 Just Shoot Me! Executive producer 1998 Mr. Show and the Incredible, Fantastical News Report Executive producer Television short 1999−2000 The Martin Short Show Executive producer 2001−2003 Primetime Glick Executive producer 2001−2004 The Wayne Brady Show Executive producer 2002 Next! Executive producer 2003 The Lyon's Den Executive producer 2003−2004 Comedy Inc. Executive producer 2006 Heist Executive producer
Miscellaneous crew
Year Title Role 1986−91 The Real Ghostbusters Executive consultant
As an actor
Year Title Role Notes Other notes 1984 The Ratings Game Man in Le Boeuf Television film 2004 The Sopranos Himself
Thanks
Year Title Role Notes 1984 The Ratings Game Special thanks Television film 1986 The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special Television special 2008 Saturday Night Live Dedicatee
Publications Bernie Brillstein with David Rensin (1999). Where Did I Go Right?: You're No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead!. Little Brown Inc. (Chapter One online) The Little Stuff Matters Most (2004). Bernie Brillstein with David Rensin
References
External links
Obituary and memories – Nikki Finke The Man Who Loved Show Business by David Rensin.