# Jerry Katzman, television executive, dies aged 89

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/jerry-katzman-former-william-morris-president-dies-at-89/
- Published: 2026-08-10T23:32:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-11T05:47:13+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/jerry-katzman-dead-william-morris-1236831499/
- Topics: Government, Politics

## Key points

- Former William Morris president Jerry Katzman has died, aged 89
- Packaged hit shows including Roseanne and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
- Died 9 August after battling Parkinson's; survived by wife, three children

## Summary

Jerry Katzman, a former William Morris president and influential television packager behind hits including "Roseanne," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "The Cosby Show" and "Murphy Brown," died on 9 August aged 89 after living with Parkinson's disease for several years. He rose through the agency from business affairs to become head of worldwide television and later president and vice chairman, playing a significant role in shaping the modern television landscape over his career.

Born on 21 April 1937 in Los Angeles, Katzman was also president of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society and later taught at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. Earlier in his career he worked alongside his father on film productions including two Elvis Presley pictures, a Roy Orbison film and a Peter Noone film. He was married to Carol Sinn for 66 years and is survived by her, their three children (Jeff, Jon and Kari), seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; a memorial service was held on 13 August at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles, with donations directed to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai and UCLA's Parkinson's Center.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Jerry Katzman, television executive, dies aged 89](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/jerry-katzman-dead-william-morris-1236831499/)
- [The Hollywood Reporter: Jerry Katzman, Former William Morris President, Dies at 89](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/jerry-katzman-dead-william-morris-president-1236670357/)
- [Deadline: Jerry Katzman Dies: Former WMA President Was 89](https://deadline.com/2026/08/jerry-katzman-dead-wma-president-tv-agent-the-cosby-show-1237029875/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.