Home · Entertainment · Nov 1 archive
Barbra Streisand's Longtime Manager Marty Erlichman Dies at 97
ConfirmedShare on
In Short: Marty Erlichman, the longtime manager of Barbra Streisand, died at the age of 97 on Saturday, according to a press release issued on Sunday.
Marty Erlichman, the longtime manager of Barbra Streisand, died at the age of 97 on Saturday, according to a press release issued on Sunday. Erlichman, who was born in Brooklyn on September 13, 1929, and was an alumnus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, passed away due to age-related causes.
Erlichman first encountered Streisand when she was 19 years old and performing as the opening act for comedian Phil Leeds at the Bon Soir nightclub in Greenwich Village. He was struck by her talent and offered his compliments backstage, despite her initial hesitation to accept his help.
Streisand later recalled, 'He was like a guy from my old neighborhood. Turns out he grew up near me in Brooklyn. We spoke the same language.' This shared background and mutual understanding of the entertainment industry would form the foundation of their enduring partnership.
Erlichman's discovery of Streisand was marked by a pivotal moment when she was performing in Detroit and seeking a raise from $150 to $200 a week, plus dinners. Her agent was unhelpful, so she called Erlichman, who flew to Detroit to negotiate a deal, paying the $25 difference himself to secure the dinners. The brothers running the club were impressed by his dedication and asked, 'You flew here at your own expense so you could pay us twenty-five dollars and you’re not even her manager? You must really believe this girl is going to be a star.'
Erlichman's career with Streisand spanned over six decades, during which he negotiated her recording, theater, film, television, licensing, and concert agreements. He also conceived and executive produced her concert appearances and tours, including her 2000 Millennium Concert and her 2006–07 world tour. He received both an Emmy and a Peabody Award for his work as executive producer on the 1994 HBO special 'Barbra: The Concert.'
Streisand expressed her deep sorrow over Erlichman's passing, stating, 'Although Marty lived a long and full life, nothing can prepare you for the reality of losing someone so dear. I truly thought he would live forever. In my eyes, he was simply indestructible — always by my side, through everything. And we never even had a contract. Marty can never be replaced, and I will be forever grateful for his friendship, loyalty, and unwavering support.'
Erlichman's family also paid tribute to him, noting, 'To the world, he was a giant of Hollywood; to us, he was a deeply devoted and loving father, husband, grandfather, and rock. We feel his loss deeply but are endlessly proud of the life he lived and the indelible mark he left on the world.'
In his final weeks, Erlichman had even tried to convince Streisand to go on tour, promising to be there every step of the way. Streisand reflected, 'This is a challenging business, but I always felt protected with Marty by my side.'
What this adds
Erlichman's death marks the end of a legendary partnership that shaped Streisand's career from a New York nightclub singer to an international star on stage and screen.
What's confirmed
- Related Kenny MacPherson, Veteran Music Publisher and Big Deal Music Co-Founder, Dies at 71 Jessica Lynch “Although Marty lived a long and full life, nothing can prepare you for the reality of losing someone so dear,” Streisand said in a statement following Erlichman’s passing.
- 13, 1929, and is an alumni of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
- He’s the recipient of both an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for his work as executive producer of the 1994 HBO television special Barbra: The Concert.
- Erlichman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Miko Mayama Erlichman, as well as son J.J.
- As Streisand pointed out today in her statement, the duo never even had a contract between them Erlichman negotiated Streisand’s recording, theater, film, television, licensing and concert agreements, overseeing the business side of a career that would become one of the most accomplished in entertainment history.
- Marty Erlichman, the talent manager who discovered Barbra Streisand at age 19 and guided her career for more than six decades, has died.
What's still developing
- In 1961, Erlichman secured the group a spot on The Ed Sullivan Show.
- While she already had a manager, he left his business card and told her to call his office, which in reality was a telephone booth on 53rd Street, if she ever needed advice.
- His credits include Streisand’s 1974 comedy “For Pete’s Sake,” the 1978 psychological thriller “Coma” directed by Michael Crichton and the 1983 romantic thriller “Breathless,” starring Richard Gere.
- As an entertainment manager, Erlichman is credited with discovering Streisand and helping to shape and guide her career since the early 1960s.
- Streisand later recalled his enthusiasm for her talent, but she told him she was an actress, and performing as a singer only because she wasn’t landing any acting jobs.