Marty Erlichman Dies: Barbra Streisand’s Longtime Manager Was 97

Marty Erlichman, who discovered Barbra Streisand and in over 60 years as her manager helped shape and guide her career, has died. He was 97.

Erlichman first saw Streisand when he went to see an old friend, comedian Phil Leeds, perform. In 1991, he recalled that night.

“Out walked this eighteen-year-old singer as his opening act. She sang five songs and I had chills through all of them,” he recalled. Erlichman came backstage to offer his compliments.

She later said, “I told him, ‘I’m not a singer, really. I’m an actress, and I’m only doing this because no one will hire me to act.’

“I remember his response like it was yesterday. He told me, ‘If you’re as good an actress as you are a singer, then there’s no stopping you. I just saw you do comedy, drama. You made me laugh, you made me cry. I think you have a big career ahead of you — records, television, theater, movies.”

Three months later, he got a call from the actress/singer.

“She was playing some club in Detroit and was only making $150 a week. She wanted $200 a week plus dinners. Her agent wasn’t helping her out, so she remembered I wanted to represent her. She called and told me her problem. ‘But I can’t pay you any commission,’ she warned me. I got on the first plane to Detroit and worked out a deal. The owners — a pair of brothers — only offered her $175 and no dinners. I told them behind her back I’d pay them the twenty-five-dollar difference if they’d throw in the dinners, which is what happened. The brothers said to me, ‘Let us get this straight. 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.’ I sure as hell did.”

It turned out to be money well spent, and the beginning of a long partnership. 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. He executive produced 10 of her TV specials — from her first, My Name Is Barbra in 1963, to her most recent, Barbra: The Music… The Mem’ries… The Magic! in 2017. The duo won Emmys for Barbra: The Concert in 1995 and Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments in 1974.

Erlichman likewise executive-produced the superstar’s record-setting concert appearances and tours. Among them, her 2000 Millennium Concert and her 2006–2007 world tour.

As Streisand wished him a happy 97th in a social post last month, she offered, “He’s been the greatest manager ever!”

On hearing of his death, the superstar today offered the following tribute:

“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.”

Even at the end, Erlichman was still planning for the future. Streisand said he recently “was trying to convince me to go on tour, and told me he’d be there every step of the way.”

Erlichman’s first film producing credit was the Streisand vehicle For Pete’s Sake in 1974. The film, directed by Peter Yates, was sandwiched between The Way We Were and Funny Girl during Streisand’s early-career run to superstardom.

His next film was the buzzy Michael Crichton thriller Coma, starring Michael Douglas and Genevieve Bujold. That was followed by the American adaptation of Breathless starring Richard Gere and four of the Ernest movies starring Jim Varney.

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He also managed the pioneering Irish folk group The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, whose seaters were hand-knitted by Mr. Erlichman’s mother. Among his other clients were heavyweight champion George Foreman, record producer and songwriter Bob Crewe, known for his work with The Four Seasons, 1960s pop group Gary Puckett & The Union Gap and Chevy Chase.

Erlichman was married to Miko Mayama Erlichman for 52 years years. Their son, J.J. Erlichman, is a tour and production manager. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his daughter-in-law Talia, his four grandchildren Mia, Sarah, Olivia, and Jack.

The family today shared the following statement: “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 lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the National Kidney Foundation. A private service will be held to honor his life.