Jay Kanter, a legendary film producer and Hollywood agent, has died at 97.
Jay Kanter, who was the former agent of Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe, passed away on Tuesday at his home in Beverly Hills, as per TMZ.
His son, Adam Kanter, told the publication that his father died ‘peacefully from natural causes’ and was ‘surrounded by his family.’
Jay Kanter also represented other A-listers, including Warren Beatty, Grace Kelly, Ronald Reagan and Gene Kelly.
He eventually transitioned to film producing, and worked on legendary films like Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Alien, and films in the Star Wars and Police Academy franchises.
After World War II, Kanter landed a position at a prominent Hollywood agency, where he was mentored by the late legendary movie mogul Lew Wasserman.
At just 22, Jay convinced Godfather star Brando to become his client.
The professional relationship endured for the entirety of Brando’s career, and turned into a lifelong friendship.
He was also friends with Mel Brooks, and together they worked on Spaceballs, Silent Movie, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety and Life Stinks.
Following MCA’s acquisition of Universal Pictures, Kanter relocated his family to London to oversee production for the studio’s European division.
When the European operations were subsequently closed, he joined forces with Elliott Kastner and Alan Ladd Jr. (Laddie) to form a production company.
Later, Ladd returned to Los Angeles to take on an executive position at 20th Century Fox, inviting Kanter to join him.
This marked the beginning of a partnership that spanned leadership roles at 20th Century Fox, The Ladd Company, and MGM/UA.
Jay Kanter was born on December 12, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Muriel and Harry Kanter.
He married three times. His first marriage to actress Roberta Haynes lasted less than a year.
He subsequently married Judy Balaban, daughter of former Paramount Pictures President and honorary Chairman Barney Balaban.
Kanter’s third and longest marriage was to Kit Bennett Kanter, who passed away in 2014 after 49 years of union.
During his lifetime, he also lost a daughter, Victoria Kanter Colombetti.
He is survived by his children Dustin (and Debra) Bernard, Tom Bernard, Cydney Bernard, Amy Kanter (and Bob Thiele), Adam (and Brooke) Kanter and Michael (and Erica) Kanter, as well as his grandchildren.
Private services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Motion Picture Television Fund or the Jules Stein Eye Institute.