Sanford “Sandy” Wernick, a legendary expertise supervisor and leisure government, died Thursday on the age of 86.
In accordance with a household consultant, Wernick handed peacefully after a short sickness on Thursday in Rancho Mirage, Calif., the place he was surrounded by his household and family members.
Wernick, a accomplice and senior government vp of Brillstein Leisure Companions, was largely concerned in private administration, TV and movement image packaging and producing. Although, previous to turning into a supervisor within the ’70s, Wernick additionally notably labored as an agent, rising from the mailroom at MCA to ICM’s vp of the TV division.
Not solely did Wernick co-create and government produce “Def Comedy Jam,” he was key in packaging and producing hits like, “Saturday Evening Reside,” ‘The Muppet Present,” “The Sopranos,” “Politically Incorrect,” “Simply Shoot Me,” “NewsRadio,” “Alf,” “The Larry Sanders Present,” “Guidelines of Engagement,” “The Goldbergs,” amongst many others.
He was additionally a frequent collaborator along with his shopper Adam Sandler, government producing comedy successes similar to “Blissful Gilmore,” “Billy Madison,” “The Wedding ceremony Singer” and “Bulletproof.”
Sandler even lovingly imitated Wernick for his Netflix movie, “Sandy Wexler,” the place the comedic actor performed “a expertise supervisor working in Los Angeles within the Nineteen Nineties who diligently represents a bunch of eccentric shoppers,” per a logline from the streamer.
“This man Sandy is like my household. I really like him greater than something and he’s a really candy man,” Sandler stated on “Conan” whereas selling the movie. “He’s been with me since I used to be a younger boy.”
Particularly, Wernick signed Sandler as a shopper when the star was solely 22, simply earlier than he made his debut on “Saturday Evening Reside.”
Along with Sandler, Wernick’s shopper listing included Tim Herlihy, John Davies, Akira (Leo) Yoshimura, Lorne Michaels, Ray Klausen, Don Mischer, Stan Lathan, Jeff Ross, Marilyn Wilson, Marty Pasetta, Victor Levin, Buz Kohan, Colin Quinn, Rob Schneider, Norm Crosby, Peter Falk, Alexandra Pelosi and plenty of extra.
Wernick was born on March 22, 1939, within the Bronx and later graduated from New York College. Earlier than his profession in Hollywood, he served within the military from 1960-1962.
Wernick is survived by his spouse of 64 years, Barbara, daughter Michele, son Barry and daughter-in-law Jillian, grandson Sammy, sister Joyce and brother-in-law Jules, and quite a few nieces, nephews, and cousins.
