Jerry Katzman, television executive, dies aged 89
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
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.
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In short
- 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
How this story developed
- 2 months ago Further details emerged of Katzman's memorial, held as planned on 13 August at Hillside Memorial Park, alongside fuller biographical information including his children's names (Jeff, Jon and Kari), his father's film work with Roy Orbison and Peter Noone as well as Elvis Presley, and requests for donations to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai and UCLA's Parkinson's Center.
- 2 months ago Jerry Katzman, the former William Morris president and television packager behind "Roseanne," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "The Cosby Show" and "Murphy Brown," has died aged 89 on 9 August after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, with his funeral set for 13 August in Los Angeles.
- The Hollywood Reporter Jerry Katzman, Former William Morris President, Dies at 89
- Deadline Jerry Katzman Dies: Former WMA President Was 89
- Variety Jerry Katzman, television executive, dies aged 89
Explained simply
Jerry Katzman was a major behind-the-scenes figure in American television, not an on-screen name. As a talent agent at William Morris, one of Hollywood's biggest agencies, he worked his way up from business affairs to become head of worldwide television and eventually the agency's president and vice chairman. In that role he was known for "packaging" shows, meaning he brought together writers, actors and networks to create hit series, including several of the biggest sitcoms of their era.
Among the programmes linked to his work are Roseanne, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Cosby Show and Murphy Brown, all landmark comedies that shaped American television from the 1980s onwards. His career also extended beyond agency work: he later taught at UCLA's film and television school and served as president of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society, an industry body for broadcasting professionals.
Katzman's death, after several years living with Parkinson's disease, marks the passing of someone who helped define how modern television deals and shows come together, even though his name was rarely known outside the industry itself.
Coverage · 3 sources
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Originally published by Variety as “Jerry Katzman, Former William Morris President, Dies at 89”.