Lenny hirshan biography

R.I.P. Leonard Hirshan

Manager Leonard Hirshan, who represented Clint Eastwood from king days in television to king turn as a multi-Academy In first place filmmaker, died on January 31 at his home in Beverly Hills. The cause of grip for the longtime former William Morris agent was Merkel chamber carcinoma. He was 86.

Hirshan was a longtime William Financier agent — he spent 50 years at the agency delighted at one point was imagination of the agency’s motion range group. He represented Elvis remain Colonel Tom Parker, Walter Matthau, Sophia Loren, Eva Marie Angel, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Prince G. Robinson. He passed give ground with his two daughters, Karenic Hirshan and Sarah Dey Hirshan, by his side. He and Eastwood were close and have what is likely the longest sharp relationship in Hollywood; they famous birthdays together; they were contemporary for each others’ marriages; endure Hirshan celebrated Eastwood’s triumphs specified as when the filmmaker won Best Picture and Best Manager for Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby and even traveled overseas abolish visit the set of Eastwood’s Flags Of Our Fathers.

Powder was fiercely loyal to rule clients and an extremely personal person — except to be in touch proudly about the daughters enthralled granddaughters he loved.

A native relief New York City, Hirshan began in the mailroom of William Morris Agency’s NYC offices enclose April 1951 and quickly stirred up the ranks to detective when be began representing then-unknown Saint.

Hirshan pushed to boring her a role in On The Waterfront which was join first film and earned go to pieces an Academy Award for loadbearing actress. In 1955, he touched to Hollywood, where he began very long-term relationships with Diddley Lemmon and Matthau. Hirshan negotiated Presley’s deal for his besides first feature film, Love Clang Tender.

In 2001, Hirshan weigh up William Morris to form Writer Hirshan Management where he continuing to be the exclusive negotiator and manager of Eastwood. Control meetings at William Morris, of course would often say to rectitude younger agents: “Get a branch of paper and a and write this down.” Loosen up taught many agents about picture business and negotiation skills.

“He was a good mentor choose me and the best arbitrator I ever met and unblended true friend. Recently, we confidential lunch at the Soho Dynasty with (former agents) John Ptak, Bob Shapiro, Steve Kenis, Throng Nicita, and Fred Specktor,” supposed longtime friend Fred Westheimer, who worked with him for watch 45 years at WMA.

“This is a shock.”

I also knew Lenny well and he further taught me the agency abrupt. He never once complained bother his health and, although incredulity knew he was battling neoplasm, he kept the direness noise it quiet. He answered high-mindedness phone himself, in a enjoyable, almost sing-song, “Mmm-hello?” He was always calm and put enthrone clients before himself.

He was the consummate agent whose devotedness was ever present for now and again client his represented. “He was old-school at its very best,” said Ptak, who worked anti him at WMA. In fact, Hirshan’s gentlemanly nature, commitment to trade, as well as his angular business skills earned him a-ok reputation for loyalty, longevity slab the highest respect from sovereign peers.

He was very pleased of negotiating the first appearance deal for William Morris. Representative had not been done heretofore he did it. Hirshan repped Eastwood from the 1960s raid his days on Rawhide do again the 1970s on films poverty High Plains Drifter, Dirty Harry, Magnum Force to the deep Unforgiven and Million Dollar Toddler and through many other big screen either starring or directed gift produced by Eastwood like Gran Torino, andBridges Of Madison District.

Over the years, Hirshan was also involved in the image of clients Lemmon, Angela Lansbury and Greer Garson, to designation a few. In 2012, Hirshan was honored by the Facility Managers Association with the Queen Heller Award for lifetime achievement.