14 Facts About Steve Krantz

Stephen Falk Krantz was a film producer and writer, most active from 1966 to 1996.

Steve Krantz worked as a comedy writer for Milton Berle and Steve Allen.

Bakshi's animation studio, Bakshi Productions, took over Rocket Robin Hood and another Steve Krantz-produced series, Spider-Man, beginning Steve Krantz's working relationship with Bakshi.

Steve Krantz agreed to produce Bakshi's animated film Heavy Traffic, but told Bakshi that Hollywood studio executives would be unwilling to fund the film because of its content and Bakshi's lack of film experience.

Bakshi later pitched a film adaptation of Robert Crumb's comic strip Fritz the Cat, and Steve Krantz sent Bakshi to San Francisco in an attempt to persuade Crumb to sign the contract.

Steve Krantz later acquired the film rights through Crumb's then-wife, Dana, who had Crumb's power of attorney and signed the contract.

Towards the end of the year, Krantz began coproducing Heavy Traffic with Samuel Z Arkoff, but Krantz had not compensated Bakshi for his work on Fritz the Cat, and halfway through the production of Heavy Traffic, Bakshi asked when he would be paid.

Bakshi soon accused Steve Krantz of ripping him off, which the producer denied.

When Bakshi attempted to work with Albert S Ruddy on another film, Krantz locked Bakshi out of the studio and called several directors, including Chuck Jones, in search of a replacement.

Arkoff threatened to withdraw his financial backing unless Steve Krantz rehired Bakshi, which Steve Krantz did a week later.

Steve Krantz wrote two novels, including Laurel Canyon, which was a best-seller.

Steve Krantz married magazine writer Judith Tarcher on February 19,1954.

Steve Krantz's sister-in-law was puppeteer and ventriloquist Shari Lewis, famous for performing Lamb Chop.

Steve Krantz died in Los Angeles, California, on January 4,2007, from complications of pneumonia, aged 83.