Martin Lee "Marty" Erlichman, the longtime manager of Barbra Streisand, died on October 31 at the age of 97. A press release issued on November 1 confirmed that his death was attributed to age-related causes. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 13, 1929, Erlichman was an alumnus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and served as Streisand's manager for more than six decades.
Erlichman is credited with discovering Streisand when she was 19 years old, performing as an opening act for comedian Phil Leeds at the Bon Soir nightclub in Greenwich Village. Streisand recalled that Erlichman told her he got chills upon hearing her vocals, and she felt an immediate connection, noting that he validated her dreams and shared a similar background growing up in Brooklyn. He helped secure her first recording contract with Columbia Records, negotiating unprecedented creative control over her repertoire and album covers for a first-time artist.
Beyond his work with Streisand, Erlichman managed other notable figures including The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, comedian Chevy Chase, boxing champion George Foreman, and producer Bob Crewe. He also worked as a film producer with credits such as the 1974 comedy For Pete's Sake, the 1978 thriller Coma starring Michael Douglas, and the 1983 romantic thriller Breathless featuring Richard Gere. His achievements include an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for his work as executive producer of the 1994 HBO special Barbra: The Concert.
In a statement following his passing, Streisand expressed deep grief, describing Erlichman as indestructible and noting that their relationship endured without a formal contract. She highlighted his unwavering support and mentioned that he had recently been encouraging her to go on tour. Erlichman's family described him as a Hollywood giant to the world but a devoted father, husband, and grandfather to them. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Miko Mayama Erlichman, his son J.J. Erlichman, daughter-in-law Talia, and four grandchildren: Mia, Sarah, Olivia, and Jack.
A private service will be held to honor his life. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Erlichman's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the National Kidney Foundation.
Sources: Billboard.