Legendary Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub, best known for films like the "Ocean's" trilogy, "Nashville" and the "Karate Kid", has died of cardiac arrest. He was 77.
Weintraub, who also promoted concerts for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan, died yesterday at his residence in Santa Barbara, California, said The Hollywood Reporter.
"In the coming days there will be tributes about our friend Jerry Weintraub... We'll laugh at his great stories and applaud his accomplishments," actor George Clooney, who starred in the "Ocean's" movies, said in a statement.
"And in the years to come, the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it," Clooney added.
Actor Brad Pitt, paying tribute to the producer, stated, "He was an absolute original. I loved him and will genuinely miss him."
Born in September 26, 1937, in Brooklyn, Weintraub forayed into movies after he met director Robert Altman, who asked him to executive produce the 1975 film "Nashville", which garnered five Oscar nominations, including best picture.
Weintraub produced "Diner", "Oh, God!", "September 30, 1955", "Cruising", three sequels to "The Karate Kid", and HBO's "Behind the Candelabra", winner of 11 Emmy Awards.
He recently executive produced the new comedy "The Brink" for HBO, and was a producer on the upcoming remake of "Westworld" that has been turned into an HBO series and the upcoming film version of "Tarzan".
Weintraub is survived by his wife Jane and his long-time companion Susan Elkins, his four children, Michael, Julie, Jamie and Jodie, as well as five grandchildren, Sarah, Rachael, Joseph, Ari and Samuel.
