LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Industry veteran Roy Gerber, an agent who once represented The Beatles has died of a brain tumor, the Los Angeles Times has reported. He was 82.
Gerber had a long and successful career, serving most recently as the head of Roy Gerber & Associates working with numerous artists including Shirley Jones, Vic Damone and Sid Caesar.
Starting off as a theatrical agent in New York, he first teamed with Norman Weiss to form a talent agency that they later sold to Music Corp of America.
Gerber then spent a tenure in the 1950s as an agent, operating MCA's Las Vegas offices with Jim Murray where they booked some of the city's best-known clubs and represented talent like Jerry Lewis and Victor Borge.
Gerber went on to join General Artists where he worked with the Beatles, Richard Pryor and The Mamas and the Papas to name a few.
Gerber also served as the inspiration for the character Oscar Madison in Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple." Gerber, recently divorced, had been living with Dan Simon, Neil Simon's brother, also recently divorced. Unlike the bon vivant Gerber, Dan Simon was decidedly more fastidious. Dan Simon started the play but passed it to his brother Neil. The comedy went on to win 4 Tony Awards.
Gerber stayed with GAC as it turned into Creative Management Agency and then finally to ICM, serving as a senior agent at both firms.
Gerber is survived by his wife, Terrie, his brother Jay and three children. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
