Martin Baum (agent)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Martin "Marty" Baum (March 2, 1924 – November 5, 2010) was an American

motion picture department.[1] During his career, which spanned from the 1940s until 2010, his client list at CAA and other agencies included Bette Davis, Jack Lemmon, Bobby Darin, Bo Derek, Gig Young, Sidney Poitier, Ralph Nelson, Richard Attenborough, Red Buttons, Maggie Smith and Rock Hudson.[1] Baum was also the President of ABC Pictures, the film division of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), from 1968 until 1971.[1]

Early life

Baum, a native of

stage manager following the war, and decided to become a talent agent after a series of failed stage productions.[1]

Career

Baum and

motion picture talent division.[1] Baum then joined the Ashley-Famous
Agency after leaving GAC.

He then formed his own agency, the Martin Baum Agency, which later merged with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA).[1]

In the interim, Baum became the head of

statuette following his suicide in 1978.[1] Gig Young
's daughter Jennifer, launched a campaign in the early 1990s to get the award back from Baum, and struck an agreement that she would get the award back upon Baum's death, which occurred in 2010.

Throughout his career Baum earned the reputation as a "packager", according to the

African American actor to win the award.[4]

In 1960, Baum partnered with Baum & Newborn Theatrical Agency to begin producing films and television in addition to his work as a publicist.[2] He became a production executive at both Optimus Productions and Creative Management Association.[2] Baum's credits as a producer included The Last Valley, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, The Wilby Conspiracy and The Killer Elite, all of which were released in the 1970s.[3]

In 1976,

merger of his Martin Baum Agency with CAA on October 11, 1976.[3]
[2] Baum brought an extensive client list to the CAA when he joined the agency, including Peter Sellers and Sidney Poitier.[1] More importantly to CAA founders, the merger with Baum's agency added legitimacy to CAA, which had only been founded one year prior to their overture to Baum.[1][2] Baum became the first head of CAA's motion picture division.[1] He remained a fixture at CAA until shortly before his death in 2010.[2]

Baum accumulated an extensive client list throughout his career. In addition to Sidney Poitier and Gig Young, his clients included Carroll O'Connor, Dyan Cannon, Gene Wilder, Julie Andrews, Richard Harris, Richard Attenborough, Maggie Smith, Harry Belafonte, Stockard Channing, Joanne Woodward, John Cassavetes, Jack Lemmon, Blake Edwards, Bette Davis, Gena Rowlands, Rod Steiger, Cliff Robertson and Red Buttons at various times throughout his career.[1][3]

Death

Martin Baum died at his home in Beverly Hills, California on November 5, 2010, at the age of 86.[1] He was survived by his daughter, Fern; son, Rich; three grandchildren; and his girlfriend of twelve years, Vicki Sanchez. His wife, Bernice Baum, died in 1997.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Noland, Claire (2010-11-07). "Martin Baum dies at 86; Hollywood agent represented A-list talent". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  2. ^
    Beverly Hills Courier. Archived from the original
    on 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Littleton, Cynthia (2010-11-06). "Agent Martin Baum dies at 86". Variety. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
  4. ISBN 9780786486496
    .
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martin_Baum_(agent)&oldid=1230146162"