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George Shapiro, Talent Manager Who Pushed for ‘Seinfeld,’ Dies at 91

He was soon promoted to an agent, with a weekly salary of $ 38, but eventually moved to an office in Los Angeles, including the mid-1960s television series Gomer Pyle — USMC. “That girl” With actors, writers and directors represented by William Morris.

However, Mr. Shapiro hated to take responsibility for so many customers that in 1973 he started his own management company to focus on some favorable customers.Mr. West, who worked with William Morris, soon joined him, and they joined Shapiro / West & Associates. West’s death in 2015.

To promote Seinfeld’s sitcom next door, Shapiro sent a number of letters to Brandon Tartikov, president of NBC Entertainment. Nudging eventually led to a meeting between Mr. Tartikov and other network executives, where Seinfeld set firm rules.

“Jerry has revealed one thing,” Shapiro told the Television Academy. “He said,’I’m not going to play a shoe salesman, an accountant, or a working father,’ and he came up with the premise of the series to play for himself.”

In recent years, Mr. Shapiro said, “If you’re not in Obit, eat breakfast(2017), a documentary in which Reiner spoke with non-elderly people such as Betty White and Dick Van Dyke, and “Super Bob Einstein Films” (2021), his ongoing Super Dave. Osborne, an unfortunate parody of the brave devil, about cartoon actors and writers known for their television depictions.

Mr. Shapiro survived by his divorced ex-wife Melody (Shah) Shapiro. His daughters, Carrie Shapiro Fentes and Stephanie Shapiro. My son, Danny. 5 grandchildren. And his brother. His marriage to Diane Barnett ended in 2005 with her death.

Rob Reiner, son of actor and director Reiner, said Shapiro was a caregiver both professionally and personally.

“He loved and respected my dad. He was like his dad,” said Reiner, who produced “Seinfeld” by Castle Rock Entertainment. “George loves to be around my dad, and when he started to get older, he came home and took him around the block. It’s what you need to know about George. That is: he took care of everyone. “

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