Martin Lee “Marty” Erlichman, Barbra Streisand‘s manager for more than six decades, died on Oct. 31. He was 97.
Erlichman’s death was due to “age-related causes,” a press release issued on Sunday (Nov. 1) states.
As an entertainment manager, Erlichman is credited with discovering Streisand and helping to shape and guide her career since the early 1960s.
Erlichman was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Sept. 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.
He first encountered Streisand when she was 19 years old and singing as the opening act for comedian Phil Leeds at Bon Soir nightclub in Greenwich Village. Streisand has recalled that her soon-to-be new manager told her he got chills the moment he heard her vocals; she felt comfortable with him immediately, feeling he “validated all my dreams” while being “like a guy from my old neighborhood. Turns out he grew up near me in Brooklyn. We spoke the same language.”
He helped her secure her first recording contract, with Columbia Records. Streisand is thankful he negotiated giving her creative control on her repertoire and album covers, “an unprecedented contract for a first-timer.”
“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. “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.”
Streisand also said, “A few weeks ago, he was trying to convince me to go on tour, and told me he’d be there every step of the way. I know it’s extremely rare for show business relationships to endure for as long as mine did with Marty. He trusted me, and I trusted him. This is a challenging business, but I always felt protected with Marty by my side.”
A statement from Erlichman’s family reads, “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.”
Throughout his career in management — with The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap among his other music artist clients, and additional clients including comedian/actor Chevy Chase, heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman and record producer/songwriter Bob Crewe — Erlichman also worked as a film producer, with credits including Streisand’s 1974 comedy For Pete’s Sake; psychological thriller Coma (1978), starring Michael Douglas, and romantic thriller Breathless (1983), starring Richard Gere.
Erlichman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Miko Mayama Erlichman, as well as son J.J. Erlichman (who is a tour and production manager) and daughter-in-law Talia, and four grandchildren: Mia, Sarah, Olivia, and Jack. His family plans to hold a private service to honor his life.
Donations may be made in Erlichman’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the National Kidney Foundation in lieu of flowers.
