Bernard Jules Brillstein was an American film and television producer, executive producer, and talent agent.
14 Facts About Bernie Brillstein
1.
2.
Bernie Brillstein began his career in the 1950s at the William Morris Agency before founding his own company in 1969 and later joining forces with Brad Grey to helm Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, one of the most important and influential Hollywood talent management and production companies.
3.
Bernie Brillstein is remembered for producing successful TV programs like Hee Haw, The Muppet Show, and The Sopranos, and hit films including The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters and Happy Gilmore.
4.
Bernie Brillstein was born to a Jewish family in Manhattan, to Moe Brillstein and Matilda "Tillie" Brillstein, who all shared the Manhattan home of his uncle, the vaudeville and radio performer Jack Pearl.
5.
Bernie Brillstein earned his way into show business in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency in New York.
6.
Bernie Brillstein worked his way up to talent agent and by the 1960s, he was a manager-producer of television programming for the company.
7.
Bernie Brillstein produced such popular television hits as Hee Haw, The Muppet Show and Saturday Night Live.
8.
Bernie Brillstein later became manager of SNL alumni Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Martin Short, and executive producer Lorne Michaels, as well as Jim Henson and Paul Fusco.
9.
Bernie Brillstein produced such other television shows as ALF: The Animated Series, and Normal Life.
10.
Bernie Brillstein was exclusive producer to the animation sequel The Real Ghostbusters.
11.
Bernie Brillstein sold his shares in the company to Grey, his one time protege, in 1996.
12.
Bernie Brillstein represented Nick Swardson for six years prior to his death.
13.
In 1998, Bernie Brillstein married Carrie Winston Bernie Brillstein, a marriage that lasted until his 2008 death.
14.
Bernie Brillstein was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.