Legendary producer Jerry Weintraub, best know for “The Karate Kid,” “Nashville” and “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise, died on Monday at 77.
The three-time Emmy winner’s most recent project was exec producing the HBO political comedy “The Brink.”
George Clooney was among the actors who paid tribute to his “Ocean’s Eleven” producer.
“In the coming days there will be tributes about our friend Jerry Weintraub. We’ll laugh at his great stories, and applaud his accomplishments,” Clooney said in a statement. “And in the years to come the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it. But not today. Today our friend died. To his family and friends, Amal and I send our love. And to those who didn’t know him we send our deepest sympathy. You would have loved him.”
Brad Pitt mirrored Clooney’s sentiments.
“He was an absolute original,” Pitt said. “I loved him and will genuinely miss him.”
Clooney and Pitt’s “Ocean’s Eleven” co-star Don Cheadle also honored the producer.
“Jerry was to me equal parts Godfather, rainmaker, caretaker, PT Barnum and friend,” he said. “I am happier for having known him. He will be sorely missed.”
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Meanwhile, HBO execs Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo said Weintraub’s death has left a “great hole.”
“Jerry was part of our family and we are devastated by his passing. He was not only an incredibly gifted producer but a singular life force. He made everything we did together a joy. There is a great hole left without him.”
And Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara issued a statement: “Jerry Weintraub was the consummate producer. He was creative, driven and could make projects come together like nobody else in the business. Warner Bros. was fortunate to have a relationship with Jerry for almost four decades, including several projects currently in production. He was a true original and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.”
Dan Fellman, longtime domestic distribution chief at Warner Bros., called Weintraub “a true original,” pointing to the successes in the disparate fields of Broadway producer, music manager, film and TV producer and author.
“I’ll miss my dear friend. My heart goes out to his family.”
“He had success in every facet of our industry. He was quite a unique character. He was a great friend personally and a great friend to the business. Jerry had a great passion for the whole industry and is a great part of our history at the studio.”
Justin Hayward, lead singer of the Moody Blues, whom Weintraub managed in the ’70s, said he will forever treasure the moments the two shared together.
“I was proud to be part of Jerry Weintraub’s amazing life and I treasure every moment I had with him,” Hayward said. “He was on our side always and his passing leaves the world, and show business, with one true legend less.”
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Meanwhile, “Karate Kid” star Ralph Macchio and director William Friedkin took to Twitter to remember Weintraub. Friedkin helmed the 1980 Al Pacino crime drama “Cruising,” which Weintraub produced.
