Jerry Katzman, a prominent television packaging executive who led William Morris Endeavor during the 1990s, died at his Los Angeles residence. He was 89 years old and had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to a family spokesperson.
Katzman commenced his career at WMA in 1972, initially working in business affairs before advancing to lead the agency’s worldwide television division. During his tenure in that role, he assembled creative teams and packaged several major television series that became cultural staples, including The Cosby Show, Roseanne, Murphy Brown, Murder, She Wrote, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Among his represented clients were actors Burt Reynolds, Angela Lansbury, and Shelley Long.
He achieved the position of agency president in 1991 and was subsequently named vice chairman in 1997 before departing the firm in 2002. Following his departure from the agency, Katzman transitioned into education and consulting, joining the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television as a faculty member in its Producers Program. He also provided consulting services to entertainment companies including Anonymous Content and held the presidency of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society.
Katzman was born in Los Angeles on April 21, 1937, to Sam Katzman, a film producer credited with Elvis Presley musicals and other motion pictures, and actress Hortense Petra. He obtained degrees from UC Berkeley and UCLA Law School before initially practicing law and working in film production alongside his father before entering the agency sector.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol, whom he met at UC Berkeley; three children; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family has suggested memorial contributions to the UCLA Parkinson’s Center, Jewish Federation Los Angeles, and Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors.
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