- Kanter died Tuesday at his Beverly Hills home, according to TMZ
- He represented other stars including Warren Beatty, Grace Kelly and Gene Kelly
- He also worked on iconic films such as Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise and Alien
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Jay Kanter, a legendary film producer and Hollywood agent, has died at the age of 97.
Kanter, the former agent of Hollywood icons including Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe, died Tuesday at his Beverly Hills home, according to TMZ.
His son, Adam Kanter, told the publication that his father “died peacefully from natural causes” and that he was “surrounded by his family.”
Kanter also represented other A-list stars, including Warren Beatty, Grace Kelly, Ronald Reagan and Gene Kelly.
He eventually moved into film production, working on such legendary films as Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Alien, and films from the Star Wars and Police Academy franchises.
Jay Kanter, a legendary film producer and Hollywood agent, has died at the age of 97; he is pictured in 2004
Kanter, the former agent of Hollywood icons including Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe, died Tuesday at his Beverly Hills home, TMZ reported; seen with Marilyn in 1955 in New York
After World War II, Kanter took a job with a leading Hollywood agency, where he was mentored by legendary movie mogul Lew Wasserman.
When Jay was only 22, he convinced Godfather star Brando to become his client.
The professional relationship continued throughout Brando’s career and grew 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.
Kanter was born on December 12, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Muriel and Harry Kanter.
His son, Adam Kanter, told the publication that his father “died peacefully of natural causes” and was “surrounded by his family”; pictured with Warren Beatty in 2012
Kanter also represented other A-listers, including Beatty, Grace Kelly, Ronald Reagan and Gene Kelly; pictured with Grace at the Stork club
He was married three times. His first marriage to actress Roberta Haynes lasted less than a year.
He later 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 died in 2014 after 49 years of marriage.
The closed church service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024.
