Hollywood Mourns: Former William Morris President Jerry Katzman Dies at 89
Jerry Katzman, a former president of William Morris and influential television packager, has died at 89. He was instrumental in shaping modern television, bringing hit series like “Roseanne” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” to fruition, and also had a significant career in film production and academia.
Jerry Katzman, a significant figure in modern television, passed away on August 9 at the age of 89. Known for his transformative work as a television packager and his executive roles at William Morris, Katzman played a crucial part in bringing iconic series like “Roseanne,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “The Cosby Show,” and “Murphy Brown” to screens, thereby shaping the landscape of contemporary television.
Katzman began his tenure at William Morris in business affairs, steadily ascending through the ranks to become the head of worldwide television, and eventually achieving the prestigious positions of president and vice chairman. Beyond his contributions to William Morris, he also served as the president of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society, further cementing his influence within the entertainment industry. Later in his career, he shared his vast knowledge and experience by teaching at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.
His career in entertainment was extensive, even predating his work at William Morris. In the early 1970s, Katzman collaborated with his father on film productions, contributing to projects featuring musical legends such as Elvis Presley in “Kissin Cousins” and “Harum Scarum,” Roy Orbison in “Fastest Guitar Alive,” and Peter Noone in “Hold On!”.
Born on April 21, 1937, in Los Angeles, Jerry Katzman was a devoted family man, married to Carol Sinn for 66 years. His obituary highlighted his love for spending time with his children and grandchildren, and how he and Carol "never missed an opportunity to celebrate every birthday, anniversary, wedding, graduation and holiday." Katzman bravely battled Parkinson’s for several years. He is survived by his beloved wife Carol; his children, Jeff, Jon, and Kari; seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Services are scheduled for August 13 at noon at Hillside Memorial Park, located at 6001 W. Centinela Ave, Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish Federation in Los Angeles, Cedars Sinai Board of Governors, and UCLA Parkinson’s Center (Attention Dr. Jeff Bronstein/Jessica Vrazilek).