Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and agent to high-profile stars including Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, has died.
Kanter died at his home in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, his son Adam of Independent Artist Group told Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. He was 97.
The Hollywood mogul began working in the entertainment industry following his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Under the mentorship of Lew Wasserman at the Music Corporation of America, Kanter was tasked with finding Brando an agent, only for the actor to end up choosing Kanter as his longterm collaborator.
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Kanter relocated to London when MCA bought Universal, where he oversaw production for the studio in Europe, including Elizabeth Taylor film "X, Y and Zee" in 1972. After MCA ceased European operations, Kanter would form a production company with Elliott Kastner and Alan Ladd, Jr. He and Ladd Jr. extended their talents for work with Fox and MGM.
Over the course of his career, Kanter represented stars including Warren Beatty, Gene Kelly, Mel Brooks, Ronald Reagan and more. He is also credited for working on films such as "Blade Runner," "Star Wars," "Thelma and Louise," "Villain," "Chariots of Fire" and more.
His story is the inspiration for Jack Lemmon's character in Billy Wilder's 1960 film "The Apartment."
Kanter was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Roberta Haynes, followed by former Paramount president Barney Balaban's daughter Judy and finally to his wife of 49 years Kit Bennett Kanter, who died in 2014.
The Hollywood veteran is survived by six children and 10 grandchildren. His daughter Victoria Kanter Colombetti pre-deceased him.
"Very sad news today. I've known a lot of nice people in my life, but nobody nicer than Jay Kanter," Brooks wrote on X Tuesday. "If you knew him, you loved him. He was more than a legendary agent. He was a loyal friend, always there when you needed him. I know it's a cliché but in Jay's case it is just so true: he will be sorely missed."