Sad News - Mort Viner has passed away :-(

[theaterbuff]

Posted: 6/24/03 at 12:21pm

[Rob]

Posted: 6/24/03 at 12:23pm

Yes, sad indeed. We'll put up the full obituary once it's available online... For those of you who don't know, Mort was the longtime agent and friend of Michael Crawford, as well as several other celebs including Shirley Maclaine, Jimmy Stewart, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, etc. He suffered a fatal heart attack while playing tennis on Sunday.

Rob

[Rob]

Posted: 6/24/03 at 1:44pm

From Amy Archerd's Column on Variety.com:

I AM SADDENED by the news that Mort Viner, 72, died Sunday of a massive heart attack. He was playing tennis, a sport he loved. He was a regular player with friends who had included Kirk Kerkorian, Robert Evans, etc. I last saw Viner a couple of weeks ago at Evans' birthday party for Nikki Haskell at the Evans home. There had been no signs of any health problems for Viner whose joie de vivre and uncomplaining mein disproved the picture of a toughened agent. He had been in the biz more than 30 years, segueing from Chasin, Park Citron to ICM. His current top clients were Shirley MacLaine and Michael Crawford. But over the years, his list included Dean Martin, Jimmy Stewart and Gene Kelly among others. He was more than an agent to all -- always a close friend and remained a co-trustee of the Dean Martin Trust. When Dean was in his too-sad, failing years, it was always Mort who could be seen joining the lone Dean at his table for two at his favorite BevHills Italian eateries. Services are not yet set but will be held at Pierce Brothers, Westwood, near his pally Dean.

[Rob]

Posted: 6/24/03 at 1:49pm

And one more bit on the subject from:

https://www.shirleymaclaine.com/news.html

Mort Viner was my agent, but more importantly, he was my friend. When I arrived in Los Angeles for the first time, Mort was the person that was there to meet me. He drove me up to the Hollywood sign and we had a long talk about our dreams for the future. From that day forward he was always there for me and so many other Hollywood talents like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Michael Crawford. He was there through the laughter and through the tears, always watching out for us.

Mort was one that would stand in the wings, never seeking any celebrity for himself. He would always say, "You're the star, not me."

I will miss our daily phone calls, his laughter and his quick wit, but... I know, as always he will still be there for me.

He was - and is - the best.
Via con Dios, Mortie. We will meet again.
Shirley






Rob

[DofB5]

Posted: 6/25/03 at 7:23pm

Sorry that I was busy with other matters last night and missed this. I just want to express my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and the friends of Mr. Viner. I’m sure his loss with create a void that can never be filled.

I know that I’ve said this before but it somehow brings me comfort at times like this.

“We are all bound by one voyage. Sooner or later we must all sail away.”

D

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 6/25/03 at 9:25pm

Regis Philbin mentioned him on yesterday's show.