LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Longtime MCA exec and philanthropist Lawrence Barnett died on June 11 in Los Angeles. He was 98.
Barnett launched his carer in the entertainment industry as a band leader and booking agent for the Larry Barnett Orchestra when he was hired by MCA founder Jules Stein to work in the label's west coast talent agency. While there, he oversaw the careers of some of the leading artists of the era, including Tommy Dorsey, Rosemary Clooney, Dinah Shore, Tony Bennett and Benny Goodman. He was also one of only eight to be sold stock in MCA by the company's founder.
After MCA was forced by the Justice Department to divest their talent agency over anti-trust concerns, Barnett went on serve as an executive with a number of other agencies, including General Artist Corp (which later became ICM), as well as Warner Communications, United Television, Piper Aircraft and ultimately Chris-Craft Industries.
Barnett was also known for his philanthropy with many worthy causes, such as The ALS Association, Hillside Hospital, the Adoption Society of Westchester, the Annenberg Center for Health Services and the Eisenhower Medical Center.
The family has indicated that anyone wishing to honor Lawrence Barnett’s memory may make a contribution to The ALS Association. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
