Legendary Talent Agent Sam Cohn Dies at 79

Sam Cohn, a powerful talent agent for some of Hollywood and Broadway's biggest stars as well as some of the biggest directors, writers and playwrights in the industry, has died. He was 79.

Family friend David Richenthal informed news services that Mr. Cohn died Wednesday at New York Presbyterian Hospital after a brief illness.

Cohn's clients at International Creative Management were a who's who of show business. Over the years they included Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Woody Allen, Lily Tomlin, Kathleen Turner, Vanessa Redgrave, Arthur Miller, Mike Nichols, Robert Altman, Nora Ephron, Bob Fosse, Sigourney Weaver, E.L. Doctorow and Jackie Gleason.

During the several of the early-'80s Broadway seasons, Cohn was involved in the productions of "Nine," Noises Off, The Real Thing, Sunday in the Park with George and A Moon for the Misbegotten, among many others.

Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Cohn graduated from Princeton University and Yale Law School. He began his career in the business affairs department of CBS and later became partner at the law firm Marshall, Bratter, Greene, Allison & Tucker.

When he co-founded ICM, Cohn, chose to remain on the east coast and headed the agency's New York office for almost 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Gelfman, son Peter Cohn, daughter Marya Cohn and four grandchildren.