Hollywood Power Broker Bernie Brillstein Dies at 77

Friday August 08, 2008 12:45 PM EDT

Bernie Brillstein

Roger Walsh/Landov

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Hollywood power player Bernie Brillstein, whose producing clout was instrumental in bringing Saturday Night Live and The Sopranos to TV, died of heart disease in a Los Angeles hospital Thursday night, his company has announced. He was 77.

Founding the influential management and production company Brillstein-Grey Entertainment with partner Brad Grey in 1991, Brillstein helped guide the careers of Muppet master Jim Henson, as well as original SNL stars John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

As with many industry legends, Brillstein, a New York native, got his start in the mailroom of the William Morris talent agency. As executive producer, his movie credits included Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers and The Cable Guy.
– Stephen M. Silverman