Hollywood producer Brillstein dies aged 77

Hollywood producer and talent manager Bernie Brillstein, whose movie credits include The Blues Brothers and Happy Gilmore, has died of lung disease at age 77, his company said yesterday.

Mr Brillstein died on Thursday night in Los Angeles from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Brillstein Entertainment Partners said in a statement.

He was a talent manager early in his career and helped guide the rise to stardom of Muppet creator Jim Henson, comic actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd and Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels.

He served as executive producer on many films including The Blues Brothers, starring Belushi and Aykroyd, as well as TV comedies like the 1990s hit NewsRadio.

"With his boundless passion, energy and wisdom, Bernie inspired the culture and success that we're blessed with today," Jon Liebman, chief executive officer of Brillstein Entertainment Partners, said in a statement.

The management and production company Brillstein founded in 1969 grew into a powerhouse of Hollywood comedy.

In 1991, he partnered with producer Brad Grey to form Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, which later changed its name to Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Mr Grey left in 2005 to run the Paramount Pictures movie studio.