Martin Jurow
Talent agent, studio exec
As a kid in Brooklyn, he staged backyard vaudeville productions and was an avid moviegoer. After graduating from William and Mary College and Harvard Law School, he worked for New York entertainment lawyer Nathan Burkan (whose clients included George M. Cohan, Mae West, Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson), then became an agent with MCA and WMA, helping bring to Broadway such musicals as "My Fair Lady," "Oklahoma," "South Pacific," "The King and I," "Guys and Dolls" and "The Music Man."
He negotiated the original Hollywood contracts for Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Elvis Presley, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and helped shape the early careers of Presley, Lancaster and Douglas. He was also instrumental in casting Frank Sinatra in "From Here to Eternity."
As executive assistant to Jack L. Warner and Hal B. Wallis, he was party to behind-the-scenes matters of such films as "Casablanca," "On the Waterfront" and "The Fugitive Kind."
He became an independent producer in the late 1950s, starting with "The Hanging Tree," starring Gary Cooper, Karl Malden and George C. Scott, and Sidney Lumet's "The Fugitive Kind," starring Marlon Brando and Joanne Woodward.
Beginning a long association with director Blake Edwards, he gave Audrey Hepburn one of her signature roles in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"; put Peter Sellers into "The Pink Panther"; and produced "The Great Race," starring Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood. He also produced "Soldier in the Rain," starring Steve McQueen.
Jurow moved to Dallas in 1971, where he continued his work in entertainment. Among the movies he made in Texas was "Terms of Endearment" (as a co-producer), starring Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson; pic won several Oscars, including picture, actress for MacLaine, supporting actor for Nicholson and director for James L. Brooks (who also won for adapted screenplay).
Other Texas-based films he produced or had a hand in include "The End of August," starring Sally Sharp; "Sylvester," starring Melissa Gilbert and Richard Farnsworth; and "Waltz Across Texas," starring Anne Archer and Terry Jastrow.
He also served as an assistant district attorney for Dallas County, taught a course in entertainment business opportunities for 10 years at Southern Methodist U. and hosted local radio show "Martin Jurow on Show Business."
His memoir, "Marty Jurow Seein' Stars: A Show Biz Odyssey," written with Dallas Morning News journo Philip Wuntch, was published in 2001.
Survivors include wife Erin-Jo, a daughter and grandson.
A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Donations can be made to the Salvation Army or charity of choice.
