Jay Kanter, Agent for Brando, Kelly, Monroe, Dies at 97

Jay Kanter, the influential Hollywood agent who managed the careers of stars like Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe, passed away at the age of 97 on Tuesday. Kanter’s death was confirmed by a representative for the Independent Artist Group. He passed away at his Beverly Hills home.

Kanter had a varied career, including a stint in England during the 1960s where he greenlit European films for Universal, and producing movies like “X, Y and Zee” starring Elizabeth Taylor. He also maintained a long working relationship with Alan Ladd Jr. at both Fox and MGM.

Kanter’s connection with Brando began in the late 1940s, when he was still a junior agent at MCA. After receiving a call from producer Stanley Kramer, Kanter took Brando to meet with Kramer about a role in “The Men” (1950). Despite not being Brando’s agent at the time, Brando declared Kanter as his agent after their meeting. This announcement catapulted Kanter’s career, leading to him receiving calls from industry giants like Darryl Zanuck and Jack Warner.

In one notable incident in the early 1950s, Kanter gave his apartment key to Jennings Lang, who used it for an affair with actress Joan Bennett. This arrangement led to a scandal when Bennett’s husband, Walter Wanger, shot Lang. This incident is believed to have inspired the classic film “The Apartment” (1960), which starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.

Kanter’s life and career were so intriguing that they even inspired a CBS sitcom, “The Famous Teddy Z,” which aired in 1989-90. The show was based on the story of Brando choosing Kanter as his agent.

Born Jay Ira Kanter in Chicago on December 12, 1926, he moved to Los Angeles with his mother after his father’s death. At 17, he joined the Navy during World War II. After the war, he started working in the mailroom at MCA and quickly climbed the ranks to become an agent under the mentorship of Lew Wasserman.

Wasserman played a pivotal role in Kanter’s early career, discussing deals and driving him around to various studio heads. After the Lang-Bennett-Wanger scandal, Wasserman sent Kanter to New York to avoid local authorities. What was meant to be a short stay turned into a nine-year tenure.

Kanter’s client list grew to include not just Brando, but also Grace Kelly, whom he secured a $750 per week deal for her role in “High Noon” (1951). He also represented her when she signed a seven-year contract with MGM in 1952. Kanter married Judy Balaban, daughter of Paramount Pictures president Barney Balaban, in 1953, with Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando playing significant roles in the wedding ceremony.

Kanter’s arrival at Universal in 1962 saw him transitioning from talent agent to film production executive. He signed director Michael Winner to a multi-film deal and made several British films, although they were not commercially successful.

In the 1970s, Kanter moved into film production, working on projects such as “Villain” (1971) and “The Nightcomers” (1971). He eventually joined Fox, where he and Ladd helped greenlight “Star Wars” (1977). They continued their partnership through various ventures, including The Ladd Co., and MGM/UA.

Kanter was also known for his participation in weekly lunches organized by Mel Brooks in the 1990s. These gatherings included notable figures like Richard Donner and Paul Mazursky, and they have continued for more than 35 years in Beverly Hills.

Kanter is survived by his children Adam, Dustin, Tom, Cydney, Bernard, Amy, and Michael, as well as his grandchildren. His daughter Victoria predeceased him in 2020. A private service will be held Friday, and donations in his memory can be made to the Motion Picture & Television Fund or the UCLA Stein Eye Institute.

Source: Particle News