George Shapiro, ‘Seinfeld’ Producer and Longtime Manager of Comedians, Dies at 91
George Shapiro, executive producer for the seminal Emmy-winning sitcom “Seinfeld” and well-respected Hollywood personal manager, died Thursday in his Beverly Hills home a result of natural causes, per multiple outlets. He was 91.Along with his longtime collaborator and friend Howard West, he launched Shapiro/West Productions in 1973, which was crucial to the creation of “Seinfeld.” In addition to Jerry Seinfeld, he helped guide the careers of the likes of Andy Kaufman and Carl Reiner.Shapiro, a Bronx native, graduated from New York University with a degree in advertising and marketing and served a stint in the army, after which he took a job in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency. Soon afterward, he climbed the ranks to become an agent, where he assembled talent for shows like “The Steve Allen Show,” “That Girl” and “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” He also packaged specials for Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing.