Larry Auerbach, former powerhouse agent on the William Morris Company who segued to a second profession serving to USC college students break into into the leisure business, handed away peacefully this morning, Nov. 23. He was 95.
Brooklyn native Auerbach spent 47 years at WMA the place he began working part-time within the New York mailroom whereas nonetheless in highschool. He started his agenting profession with small theater and nightclub reserving earlier than launching the company’s rock music division. He ran WMA’s New York movement image division after which moved to Los Angeles in 1975 to go the company’s tv division.
Known as “the Man with the Golden Rolodex,” Auerbach booked Elvis Presley his first tv efficiency and likewise labored with Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jr. early in his profession.
He went on to signify Alan Alda on the peak of M*A*S*H, Beatrice Arthur, Agnes Nixon, and prolific TV producer Aaron Spelling. Auerbach additionally packaged and bought the hit 1984 sitcom The Cosby Present, which helped put indie studio Carsey-Werner on the map.
“Larry Auerbach was that uncommon agent who was there for you twenty 4 hours a day — supporting not solely his shopper however me as effectively,” Tom Werner mentioned. “He was variety and moral and good.”
Leaving his position as agent and EVP at WMA in 1992, Auerbach thought-about going into producing however was approached about becoming a member of the USC College of Cinematic Arts. He turned Government Director and Affiliate Dean of Scholar Trade Relations, serving as a bridge between college students and the movie and tv business.
He retired in early 2018 on the age of 89 having solely held two jobs his total life, 47 years at WMA and 25 at USC.
Auerbach is survived by his sons, David, Bruce and Stephen, and was preceded in loss of life by his spouse of 56 years, Carole, who died in 2010.
“He lived. He liked. He laughed. He mumbled. He self admittedly performed some dangerous golf. He made offers. He made buddies. He mentored. He made a mark on so many lives. Hopefully, he might be remembered fondly,” David Auerbach wrote in an electronic mail to household and buddies asserting Larry’s passing.
A memorial service might be introduced within the coming weeks.
