Lawrence Ira "Larry" Brezner (August 23, 1942 – October 5, 2015) was an American film producer, most notable for producing films such as Good Morning, Vietnam, Throw Momma from the Train, and Ride Along.

Life and career

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Born in the Bronx in New York City in 1942,[1] Brezner studied at the University of Bridgeport and St. John's University from which he graduated with a Masters in Psychology. He then was a teacher at an elementary school at PS 47 in the Bronx before he moved on to the entertainment industry. In 1974 he opened a night club in Manhattan, where he met the producer Jack Rollins.[2] In the same year he joined the company of Rollins & Charles H. Joffe with Buddy Morra and was their partner in the late 1970s. After Rollins and Joffe withdrew from the company, he, Buddy Morra, David Steinberg and Stephen Tenenbaum formed a new company, MBST Entertainment, Inc. (Morra Brezner Steinberg & Tenenbaum). His first wife was the singer Melissa Manchester; they met when she performed at his club, and Brezner managed her career during their seven-year marriage.[3] His second marriage to Bett Zimmerman also ended in divorce.[4]

From the mid-1980s, Brezner served as the executive producer for various comedy specials on US television. Brezner also managed the careers of artists such as Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Martin Short, Bette Midler and many other comedic talents.

In 1981 his first film project was the original Arthur, his first project as film producer in 1984 was Throw Momma from the Train. This was followed by Good Morning, Vietnam, The 'Burbs, and The Vanishing "Krippendorf's Tribe", "The Greatest Game". In 2014 he produced the comedy Ride Along. His final project, Ride Along 2, was released in January 2016.[5]

He died in Duarte, California in October 2015 from leukemia, which was diagnosed a few months earlier. Brezner is survived by his third wife, Dominique Cohen-Brezner, and two daughters, Lauren Azbill and China Brezner.[6]

Selected filmography

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He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

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Year Film Credit Notes
1981 Arthur Executive producer
Uncredited
1987 Throw Momma from the Train
Good Morning, Vietnam
1989 The 'Burbs
1990 Coupe de Ville
1992 Passed Away
1993 The Vanishing
1994 Angie
Clifford
1998 Krippendorf's Tribe
2000 The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave Direct-to-video
2001 Freddy Got Fingered
2002 Sorority Boys
2004 The Last Shot
2005 The Greatest Game Ever Played
2011 Arthur
2014 Ride Along Final film as a producer
2016 Ride Along 2 Posthumous credit
Thanks
Year Film Role
1992 Crossing the Bridge Thanks

Television

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Year Title Credit Notes
1980 Good Time Harry Executive producer
1981 The Acorn People Executive producer Television film
1982 The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour Executive producer
1984 Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line Executive producer Television special
1985 Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas Executive producer Television special
1986 Robin Williams: Live at the Met Executive producer Television special
The Young Comedians All-Star Reunion Executive producer Television special
But Seriously, Folks Executive producer Television short
1987 On Location: Women of the Night Executive producer Television special
The 11th Annual Young Comedians Executive producer Television special
1988 The 12th Annual Young Comedians Special Executive producer Television special
1990 Good Grief Executive producer
2008 Little Britain USA Executive producer
Thanks
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Robin Williams Live on Broadway Special thanks Television special
2009 Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction

References

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  1. ^ Steve Chawkins: Larry Brezner dies at 73; movie producer and manager of top comic actors. In: Los Angeles Times, 10. October 2015
  2. ^ "Leading Hollywood Management Firm Joins CKX". Securities and Exchange Commission. 27 July 2005.
  3. ^ "Larry Brezner, Veteran Manager and Producer, Dies at 73". The Hollywood Reporter. 6 October 2015.
  4. ^ Margalit Fox: Larry Brezner, Hollywood Manager of Star Comics, Is Dead at 73. In: The New York Times, 11 October 2015
  5. ^ Kroll, Justin (13 March 2014). "'Ride Along 2′ to Bow on Martin Luther King Weekend 2016". variety.com. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Larry Brezner, Longtime Manager and Producer, Dies at 73". 7 October 2015.
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