George Shapiro (May 18, 1931 – May 26, 2022) was an American talent manager and television producer. He was among the most successful managers in show business in the United States, best known for representing Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, and Andy Kaufman and serving as a producer for the sitcom Seinfeld.
Early life and education Shapiro was born in the BronxNew York, New York, Birth Index, 1910-1965 on May 18, 1931, to Sylvia ( Lebost) and Ira Shapiro. His father worked as a furrier and his mother was a social activist. He first met his future business partner, Howard West, in the third grade. When Shapiro was 12, Carl Reiner married Shapiro's aunt, Estelle Lebost, and became his uncle.Marc Maron, "Carl Reiner" episode of WTF podcast, 20130207 He attended P.S. 80, DeWitt Clinton High School, before studying at New York University (NYU).
Career After completing his postgraduate studies at NYU in 1953, he served in the United States Army for two years. He then worked in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency in New York. He advanced within the company and soon became an agent. One of his first assignments was to accompany Elvis Presley during his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Eventually, he began packaging programs, including the hits The Steve Allen Show, That Girl starring Marlo Thomas, and Gomer Pyle starring Jim Nabors. He also packaged a number of specials for Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing.
Shapiro left William Morris to become a personal manager and producer along with his partner and friend, Howard West. They formed Shapiro/West Productions and executive produced the Emmy-, Peabody-, and Golden Globe award-winning series Seinfeld. Shapiro was Andy Kaufman's personal manager for many years, executive producing his Showtime special Andy Kaufman at Carnegie Hall and The Andy Kaufman Show on ABC. He was executive producer with West on the Universal biopic Man on the Moon (1999), starring Jim Carrey in the role of Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito as Shapiro, and had a cameo in the movie as Mr. Besserman. He played a prominent role in the documentary Comedian featuring Seinfeld.
On June 30, 2012, people from the world of comedy gathered at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills to honor Shapiro. The David Lynch Foundation presented him with the first Lifetime of Bliss Award. He said he had been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 28 years.
Personal life Shapiro was married to Diane Barnett who died of breast cancer in 2005.
Shapiro was married to Melody Sherr prior to his marriage to Diane. Together, they had three children: Danny, Carrie, and Stefanie.
Shapiro died of natural causes on May 26, 2022, at his home in Beverly Hills, aged 91.
Filmography As a producer Year Title Notes1977 The Last Remake of Beau Geste 1979 Andy's Funhouse TV special Documentary1980 Andy Kaufman plays Carnegie Hall Comedy Special1980 In God We Tru$t 1981 Lewis & Clark 1985 Summer Rental 1987 Summer School 1987 Stand-Up Confidential Standup Special1987 Elayne Boosler: Broadway Baby Standup Special1989 Bert Rigby, You're a Fool 1990 Sibling Rivalry 1995 A Comedy Salute to Andy Kaufman Television Special1989-98 Seinfeld 173 episodes1999 Man on the Moon 2003 The Bronx Boys Documentary 2004 The Seinfeld Story Documentary2011 Colin Quinn: Long Story Short Comedy Special2010-11 The Marriage Ref 22 episodes2013 The Bronx Boys Still Playing at 80 Documentary2016-17 The Dick Van Dyke Show: Now in Living Color! Television Special2017 If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast Documentary, HBO2017 Jerry Before Seinfeld Comedy Special, Netflix; final film role
As an actor Year Title Role Notes1999 Man on the Moon Mr. Besserman 2002 Comedian Himself Documentary2016 Dying Laughing Himself Documentary2017 If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast Himself Documentary, HBO2017 Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond Himself Documentary, Netflix2019 The Bronx, USA Himself Documentary
Awards and nominations Primetime Emmy Awards Year Category Project Result Ref.1992 Outstanding Comedy SeriesSeinfeld 1993 Outstanding Comedy Series 1994 Outstanding Comedy Series 1995 Outstanding Comedy Series Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special A Comedy Salute to Andy Kaufman 1996 Outstanding Comedy SeriesSeinfeld 1997 Outstanding Comedy Series 1998 Outstanding Comedy Series 2016 Outstanding Variety Talk SeriesComedians in Cars Getting Coffee 2019Outstanding Informational Series
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