Jay Kanter, Agent to Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe and Production Executive, Dies at 97
variety.comPat Saperstein Deputy Editor Jay Kanter, agent to superstar Hollywood clients including Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, died Tuesday at his home in Beverly Hills.
He was 97. His son, Adam Kanter of Independent Artist Group, remembered his father as someone who conducted his entire career with “integrity and kindness.” Kanter also inspired Jack Lemmon’s character in Billy Wilder’s classic comedy “The Apartment.” Jay Kanter served in the U.S.
Navy during WWII and started out working at MCA, with mentoring help from Lew Wasserman. At just 22 years old, he was sent to pick up Brando at the train station and they became friends, with Brando becoming his longtime client.
He went on to represent stars including Warren Beatty, Gene Kelly and Ronald Reagan. Kanter relocated to London when MCA bought Universal, where he oversaw production for the studio in Europe.
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