Jerry Katzman Dead: Former WMA President Was 89

Jerry Katzman, a 30-year veteran of the William Morris Agency who served as President and Vice Chairman in the 1990s and helped shape modern television packaging, died Aug. 9 in Los Angeles surrounded by family. He was 89.

Born in a showbiz family, with a producer father and an actress mother, Katzman graduated from Beverly Hills High School, UC Berkeley and UCLA Law School. After briefly practicing law, he worked in film production with his King of B-movies father Sam Katzman in the 1960s and early 1970s on such titles as Elvis Presley’s Kissin’ Cousins and Harum Scarum, Roy Orbison’s Fastest Guitar Alive, and Peter Noone’s Hold On!

His entertainment industry path locked in, Katzman joined William Morris in 1972, starting in Business Affairs before transitioning to become a packaging agent in the TV department. He rose through the ranks to Head of Worldwide Television and then President and Vice Chairman.

The series he helped package by assembling creative talent and other key elements include The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Murphy Brown, Murder She Wrote and Roseanne.

Known as a trusted Hollywood advisor and mentor throughout his career, Katzman left WMA at the end of 2001 to join the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television as a faculty member, teaching in the Producers Program and serving as one of the school’s liaisons with the entertainment industry. He also worked as a consultant to entertainment companies, including management and production firm Anonymous Content, and did a stint as President of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society

“Katzman was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was admired by so many as a mentor. He was a fearless leader, firm and decisive in his actions, who faced challenging decisions with great thoughtfulness,” the family said. “He had the grit to take on the difficult circumstances that inevitably transpire over a lifetime through a resilience rooted in his desire to celebrate every meaningful moment. Katzman had an amazing life, and he fought Parkinson’s with dignity and grace for so many years.”

Outside of showbiz, Katzman maintained decades-long friendships, some dating back to elementary school. His favorite things included traveling, art, music, movies, theatre, the Dodgers, golf, and Cappuccino ice cream.

Katzman shared a 66-year marriage with his wife, Carol Sinn, whom he met at UC Berkeley when she was 18 and he was 20. Together they built a life centered on family, travel, and gatherings with friends. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids and together with Carol never missed an opportunity to celebrate every birthday, anniversary, wedding, graduation and holiday.

In addition to Carol, Katzman is survived by his children Jeff (Joanna), producer Jon (Zukhra), and Kari (Jim Kramer); grandchildren Jackie (Nick Rekenthaler), William, Neil, Josh, Jenna, Roland, and Audrey; great-granddaughter Naomi Juliette; Sister in law, Marji (Roger)Davisson, Niece Rebecca Sperling (Deb Little), Nephew Alan Sperling (Brandy), Niece Julie Davsson Liegl (Jeremy), Ross Davvison (Abby), and their Children, and Cousin David Inlander (Beth).

Services will be held on Thursday, August 13th, at Hillside Memorial Park at 12:00 noon.

Those who would like to honor Katzman’s memory can consider supporting the following organizations or a charity of their choice: UCLA Parkinson’s Center: Attention Dr.Jeff Bronstein/Jessica Vrazilek; Jewish Federation, Los Angeles; and Cedars Sinai Board of Governors.