George Shapiro worked as a talent manager and television producer in the United States. He was a famous show business manager best known for representing Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, and Andy Kaufman, as well as serving as a producer for the sitcom Seinfeld.
Jerry Seinfeld and Andy Kaufman’s producer and manager, George Shapiro, died at the age of 91.
Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, Andy Kaufman, and other comedy artists’ producers and longtime manager George Shapiro died on May 26 at his Beverly Hills home. He was 91 years old when he died.
Shapiro was a co-founder and partner of Shapiro/West Associates, a successful talent management firm that helped Andy Kaufman put together the massive NBC hit “Seinfeld” and a slew of other projects. Shapiro most recently served as executive producer of Jerry Seinfeld’s Crackle/Netflix sitcom “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”
A vivacious personality, Shapiro was known for his long relationships with clients and for his infectious enthusiasm for the business of entertainment. “Shapiro’s love of laughter and reverence for those who inspire it helped him build a career in comedy as an unabashed supporter of comic performers and comedy writers,” Shapiro’s family stated.
Danny De Vito, who co-starred with Andy Kaufman in the popular ABC and NBC sitcom “Taxi” from 1978 to 1983, recalls Shapiro’s presence during the production of the Paramount Television series. De Vito would eventually play Shapiro in Jim Carrey’s 1999 Kaufman biopic “Man On the Moon.”
“George was one of the sweetest guys on the planet. We got to see that smiling face every Friday night during the ‘Taxi’ days. He never missed a show,” De Vito said in a statement. “Peace brother.”
Contribution to the Comedy Industry
Shapiro’s contribution to the comedy industry for more than 50 years was recognized in a statement from the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, N.Y., where he served on the inaugural advisory board. “He was a firm believer in our mission to celebrate and preserve comedy’s history,” said Journey Gunderson, the center’s executive director.
Shapiro, who grew up in the Bronx, had a long friendship with West, who was a boyhood friend. Shapiro was Reiner’s nephew through marriage to Reiner’s wife, Estelle Reiner. The HBO documentary “The Bronx, USA” depicted Shapiro’s early years in 2019.
Melody Shapiro, his lifelong partner and mother of three children, Danny Shapiro, Carrie Shapiro Fuentes, and Stefanie Shapiro, survives him. Don Shapiro, his brother, and five grandchildren Adam Shapiro, Nathan Fuentes, Audrey Fuentes, Skylar Shapiro, and Alana Shapiro survive him.
Shapiro’s memorial service will be held at a later date. The family requests that payments be directed to the California Community Foundation’s Festivus Fund.
George Shapiro Age, Family, Early Life
George Shapiro was born on 18th May 1931. Shapiro grew up in the Bronx, where he met future business partner Howard West (1931–2015) while they were both in third grade.
George was 91 years old when he lost his life in Beverly Hills, California.
George Shapiro Wife, What about his children?
In 1983, George Shapiro married his wife Diane Barnett. She appeared in the films Summer School, Summer Rental, and Comedian as an actress.
George was born in the borough of Brooklyn in the state of New York. She also worked for Shapiro/West & Associates as a personal manager. Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, Bill Lawrence, Robert Wuhl, Megyn Price, and many others were among her clients.
Unfortunately, she is no longer alive, having died of breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 57. George, the talent manager, appears to have been married twice. Melody Shapiro, his first wife, appears to be still alive and well. However, information about her is scarcely available on the internet.
George Shapiro’s children survived him. Melody Shapiro and he have three children. Danny, Carrie, and Stefanie Shapiro are their names. They have one son and two daughters, two of whom are now married and have their own families.
George Shapiro Career, What was his profession?
Shapiro went to work in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency in New York after graduating from NYU. He rose through the ranks of the organization and was soon promoted to agent. One of his first jobs was to accompany Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show. He eventually started packaging shows including The Steve Allen Show, That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and Gomer Pyle starring Jim Nabors, among others. Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, and Carol Channing all had specials produced by him.
With his colleague and buddy, Howard West, Shapiro departed William Morris to work as a personal manager and producer. They founded Shapiro/West Productions and executive produced Seinfeld, which won Emmys, Peabodys, and Golden Globes. For many years, Shapiro served as Andy Kaufman’s personal manager, executive producing the performer’s Showtime special, Andy Kaufman at Carnegie Hall, as well as an ABC special, The Andy Kaufman Show. He worked as an executive producer on the 1999 Universal biopic Man on the Moon, which starred Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito as Shapiro, and had a cameo as Mr. Besserman. In the documentary Comedian, he played a pivotal part.
People from the comedy community gathered at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on June 30, 2012, to honor Shapiro. The first Lifetime of Bliss Award was given to him by the David Lynch Foundation. He claimed to have been a Transcendental Meditation practitioner for 28 years.
How much is George Shapiro Net worth?
There are no details on the net worth details of George Shapiro at the moment.
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Which school and college did he go to? What was his major?
P.S. 80, DeWitt Clinton High School, and New York University were his schools.
Is he available on any kind of social media platform?
George Shapiro is on Instagram as @george_shapiro where he has 3.2+ followers.
George Shapiro’s Appearance Height, Weight
Height | N / A |
Hair color | White |
Eye color | Brown |
Weight | N / A |
Body type | Fit |
Sexual orientation | Straight |
Interesting facts about George Shapiro’s that you should be known about
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Age | 91 |
Relationship status | Married |
Spouse | Melody Shapiro (former) Dianna Barnett |
Children | 3 |