Born Jay Ira Kanter on December 12, 1926, in Chicago, Kanter's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse in the film industry is nothing short of extraordinary. He grew up in Los Angeles and, at the tender age of 17, enlisted in the Navy, serving during World War II. Following his military service, Kanter embarked on a career at MCA, starting in the mailroom and working his way up to become an assistant to Lew Wasserman, the man behind Bette Davis and Ronald Reagan's careers. By 1948, Kanter was a junior agent, and his destiny with Hollywood's elite was set in motion.
One of the pivotal moments in Kanter's career occurred when he was tasked with picking up Marlon Brando from the train station right after Brando's breakout role in Broadway’s “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Kanter's first encounter with the then-unknown actor was straightforward: he drove Brando to his relatives' home in San Marino and had dinner with him. The next day, after Brando's meeting with director Fred Zinnemann and writer Carl Foreman, Kanter invited Brando to the MCA office to meet the other agents.
Brando’s response was legendary: "I don’t have to meet anybody, you’re my agent." This early display of trust marked the beginning of a legendary partnership. At that time, Lew Wasserman was fielding calls from studio heads eager to sign Brando, but Wasserman famously directed them to Kanter, who was relatively unknown at the time. Kanter's role in shaping Brando's career was a testament to his emerging influence in the industry.
As his career progressed, Kanter's roster of clients expanded, and he became a key player in Hollywood. His impactful work with Brando even inspired the creation of the sitcom “The Famous Teddy Z,” which humorously depicted a Hollywood star choosing a mailroom clerk as his agent. Additionally, Kanter’s experiences were thought to have influenced Jack Lemmon’s character in Billy Wilder’s classic 1960 comedy, “The Apartment.”
Kanter’s career took a significant turn when Universal Pictures acquired MCA in 1962, prompting him to relocate to London. For seven years, Kanter played a crucial role in green-lighting European films for the studio. After Universal shuttered its European operations, he returned to the U.S. and co-founded a production company with industry heavyweights Elliott Kastner and Alan Ladd Jr. Together, they produced some of the most iconic films of the era, including “Star Wars,” “Alien,” and “Blade Runner.”
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kanter collaborated extensively with Ladd, working at Fox, United Artists, and the Ladd Co. Their partnership was instrumental in shaping the blockbuster landscape of Hollywood.
Kanter’s influence wasn’t limited to film production. He maintained a close friendship with comedy legend Mel Brooks. In the 1990s, the two began hosting weekly lunches with a circle of former Fox executives and filmmakers, a tradition that continued until the week before Kanter’s passing. Brooks paid tribute to Kanter on the day of his death, describing him as a “loyal friend” and a “legendary agent” whose presence will be sorely missed.
In his personal life, Kanter was married three times. His first two marriages, to Roberta Haynes and Judy Balaban, ended in divorce. In 1965, he entered into his third and longest marriage with Kit Bennett, who remained his partner until her passing in 2014 after 49 years together. Kanter is survived by his sons Adam and Michael Kanter, his daughter Amy Kanter, and his stepchildren Tom, Dustin, and Cydney Bernard. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren. His daughter Victoria Kanter Colombetti, from his second marriage, passed away in 2020.
Jay Kanter’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. His legacy is one of groundbreaking influence, unwavering loyalty, and a profound impact on the film industry. From his early days in the mailroom to his pivotal role in shaping some of the biggest films in history, Kanter's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and genuine passion for the craft.
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