Adam Sandler's manager Sanford Wernick (86) dies after brief illness
What's the story
Sanford "Sandy" Wernick, a renowned Hollywood talent manager and senior executive VP at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, has died at the age of 86. His family confirmed to Deadline that he passed on Thursday (local time) in Rancho Mirage after a brief illness. The family is planning private services in Palm Desert and a memorial celebration in Los Angeles later.
Career highlights
His career in Hollywood
Wernick began his career as a manager in the 1970s, representing several high-profile clients, including Adam Sandler, Lorne Michaels, Tim Herlihy, Jeff Ross, Colin Quinn, and Rob Schneider. He was also an executive producer and co-creator of Def Comedy Jam. His work extended to packaging and producing shows like Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, The Sopranos, Just Shoot Me!, Alf, and The Goldbergs.
Film contributions
He was the inspiration behind Sandler's film 'Sandy Wexler'
Wernick served as an executive producer on several of Sandler's films, including Billy Madison (1995), Bulletproof (1996), Happy Gilmore (1996), and The Wedding Singer (1998). In 2017, he was immortalized by Sandler in the Netflix film Sandy Wexler. The movie tells the story of a talent manager hustling in 1994 Los Angeles, trying to make a young singer named Courtney, played by Jennifer Hudson, into a star. Wernick also made a cameo appearance in the film.
Family and education
His early life and education
Born on March 22, 1939, in the Bronx, Wernick graduated from NYU. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1962 and later worked as an adjunct professor in the Peter Stark Producing Program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He also volunteered in Cedars-Sinai's emergency room. Wernick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; daughter Michele; son Barry; daughter-in-law Jillian; grandson Sammy; sister Joyce; brother-in-law Jules; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.