MOVIES i y g a m l a H r e t e P y b o t o h P

JERRY WEINTRAUB the “ultimate” leading man

BY ELYSE GLICKMAN

s I pass through the immortal Warner Brothers gates to interview Hollywood überproducer Jerry Weintraub, the scene appears to unfold like one of his Amovies, right down to the dream parking spot waiting for me in front of his fabled bungalow. Attentive staffers warmly escort me in, as equally legendary celebrity publicist Paul Bloch bids his longtime client farewell. However, like some of the plots in Weintraub’s more successful films, there is a delightfully surprising twist and a lot of interesting characters that await me once I get past the opening credits. If a home is a man’s castle, than this working “palace” is the perfect personification of Weintraub, whose bungalow is a dynamic, living résumé that not only showcases his past achievements and passions but is a testament to his respect for youth and eye for talent. From energetic young staffers and interns to the latest hi-

www.lifestylesmagazine.com 8 MOVIES tech gadgets to posters heralding his While I have acted in all these movies, As the consummate storyteller and next big project, Ocean’s Thirteen, I’m actually going to have a bigger part showman, Weintraub has the uncanny Weintraub believes he’s only getting in this one than in the other two.” ability to make you feel like you matter, warmed up. In fact, even with several Weintraub’s youthful exuberance even if you are squeezed in between high-profile Hollywood pictures under extends beyond Hollywood. “I have no meetings and an upcoming business his belt (Oh, God!, National Lampoon’s choice but to keep up on what’s hap- trip. No matter the medium—films, , movies, pening,” he says as he turns down the television, music, or live theater— the forthcoming , and the ringer on a snappy customized Weintraub is able to smoothly move first two Ocean’s Motorola phone with an Ocean’s between topics, even if his answers are i

movies) and groundbreaking y unusual and unexpected. And g a m independent films (Nashville, l his legendary personality is in a H

Cruising, Diner), he can’t wait for r bloom when he discovers a e t e Thirteen to open. P visitor’s father owned a y b o

“Though I have made t recording studio in Chicago o h many films, each one of them P in the 1960s and spends sev- has a special place in my heart, eral minutes playing connect- and they are all like my chil- the-dots about mutual dren…even the films that acquaintances. He is didn’t do well,” he muses as he approachable by choice, a reclines in the comfortable quality he embraces and that living room section of has not only served him in his “Bungalow 1.” Sipping on a drive to succeed in showbiz, Starbucks Frappuccino, but also in his support of Weintraub doesn’t look the part charitable organizations. of a 69-year-old executive who “The spiritual side of me has been there and done that. and the stuff my father taught In fact, from the outside in, he’s me about charity is so impor- got the energy, drive, tant,” he notes. “My dad was chutzpah, and fashion sense a very worldly guy, and (he wears chic and expensive although he was not edu- Citizens of Humanity jeans!) of cated in a traditional sense of a man half his age. However, the word, he sought knowl- his passion may be his films, edge and met all kinds of but his objective is to be able to people around the world in rise above the pettiness of the business. Thirteen logo—a gift from . “I his search for stones during his 80 years “It is a real honor to be able to need to have a BlackBerry, cell phone, in the jewelry business. He started make films because very few people get computer, and all the stuff to keep up. I young, at around 14, and did it until that chance to do that in their life—and do not want to be an analog guy in a near the end of his life. I also credit my for as as long I’ve been doing it, being digital world. You need to get with it to upbringing in terms of how my outlook successful, and being at the top of my move forward and stay in touch. I am toward working in life was shaped.” game,” he admits. “Ocean’s Thirteen is very active, mentally and physically, but Weintraub discusses his family and a culmination of the three films, with if I didn’t keep myself feeling young I his Bronx, New York, upbringing with this one being the best of the three. wouldn’t be able to do all of this. I great affection. His early childhood was While the other two have made a lot of work out two hours every morning, spent within traditional Orthodox money, I think this one will be an even play a lot of golf and other kinds of Jewish surroundings, amid nurturing bigger hit. It was a lot of fun to do sports. But it is the actors, and working parents and grandparents who taught because I made it with many of my with them on a daily basis, that really him about charity and embracing their closest friends, with all the camaraderie, keeps me young, hearing their ideas faith and culture. Though the environ- fun, and parties we all enjoyed and watching their craft evolve, lis- ment became more liberal and the diet together. But we worked very hard. tening to their stories.” less kosher when his grandparents

www.lifestylesmagazine.com 9 MOVIES passed (“It was then when my parents “almost every Jewish charity” as well has led to another over the years, with started bringing shrimp into the as actively participating in L’Chaim, one organization in need leading to house,” he muses), he stresses that the the annual Chabad Telethon, consid- another organization in need.” basic Jewish foundation and respect for ered an institution in Hollywood, with One prominent marquee that others would remain constant a popularity and reach beyond the bears his name is the one attached to throughout his life. Jewish community. UCLA’s Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center “Though my parents weren’t as Weintraub’s personal reach, mean- for Reconstructive Bio-technology, a religious later on, they were always spir- while, goes far beyond Hollywood and globally renowned medical center spe- itual, and we kept up going to temple into Washington, where he has “friends cializing in tissue engineering, gene on the High Holidays,” he says. “They in high places” on both sides of the therapy, oncology, and wound healing. made sure our culture and background political divide. Describing himself as Weintraub points out that in the 10 remained a big part of our lives. During “middle of the road, politically” and years since its inception, it has become the course of my career, I became “liberal in terms of letting people do networked with hospitals and other involved with many Jewish charities and their own thing, and fiscally conserva- institutions around the world. “Thanks Israel. One of the great things about tive,” he enjoys talking about his friend- to the efforts of this and other labs, the the entertainment industry is that when ship with “George Bush 41” (they are world is on the verge of (seeing a) cure you become successful, it affords you neighbors in Kennebunkport, Maine) for cancer, closer and closer every day,” the opportunity to travel the world, and the opportunities this relationship he says. “Maybe even eradicate it. That meet many people, and find opportuni- afforded him in building relationships is a big source of pride for me.” ties to make a difference.” that benefit Israel. While the Jane and Jerry Weintraub

“There are so many people unfortunate in the world and it takes people like us to help them. I like the fact that all of my friends are activists, and that we are in a position to make a real difference.”

The many organizations where he “I became good friends with Center for Reconstructive Bio-tech- has made a difference include The Menachem Begin, Shimon Peres, nology is continuing to make history, Hebrew Home for the Aged, The Urban Yitzhak Rabin, and Benjamin Weintraub is also lending his whole- League, the Columbia Presbyterian Netanyahu,” Weintraub relates. “There hearted support to the 12th Annual Hospital Department of Orthopedics, are so many people unfortunate in the Clinic Classic Golf Tournament at the the American Heart Association, the world and it takes people like us to help Trump National Golf Club in Rancho George Bush Presidential Library them. I like the fact that all of my Palos Verdes, a star-studded benefit for Center, the , friends are activists, and that we are in The Los Angeles Free Clinic, which has the Variety Club, B’nai Brith, the Mount a position to make a real difference. served young adults and children for Sinai Medical Center, the Children’s When people comment about the fact the past 40 years. With over 80,000 Diabetes Foundation, the Crossroads that I have a lot of power, my response patient visits annually and a rising School for Arts & Sciences, the Rose to that statement is that I have made demand for services, the clinic’s 2007 and Sam Weintraub Elementary School, many friends over the years and, in fundraiser, with Weintraub standing as Brown University, Cedars-Sinai Medical turn, having quality friends is power. a major Hollywood presence, is under- Center, and the Jane Weintraub Library Being in the entertainment business taking the most important initiative in of the Vista Del Mar School. He also certainly brings an added dimension its history—the completion of a new points out that he’s worked on behalf and impact to my charity work and $15 million Children & Family Health of State of Israel Bonds for many years, efforts on behalf of Israel. However, a Center that will expand health care ser- as well as serving on the board of the lot of it ties back to the fact that at an vices for the uninsured and the working Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum early age, my father taught me about poor. The new facility will have five of Tolerance. He takes pride in the fact the importance of doing good and the patient exam rooms, a dental suite with that he has donated generously to right ways to donate money. One thing four chairs, new equipment, and special

www.lifestylesmagazine.com 10 MOVIES programs targeting children with obe- today because of the immediate together—actors, directors, writers, sity, diabetes, asthma, and other nature and the need to get things and so forth.” chronic conditions. right the first time,” he affirms. “All of Not surprisingly, Weintraub credits “I have been a supporter of The these diverse people afforded me the legends like Cary Grant, , L.A. Free Clinic for many years and knowledge, experience, and insight Gene Kelly, Kirk Douglas, and Jimmy when they asked me to be this year’s into live entertainment, which I then Stewart for mentoring him early on. honoree for their golf tournament, I translated into other things. It feels However, he stresses that his education is didn’t hesitate,” says Weintraub with a great to have been on the ground ongoing, making it a point to learn from burst of enthusiasm. “It’s the clinic’s floor of so many different entertain- current A-listers, including George Clooney, motto that health care should Brad Pitt, and .

be a right and not a privilege. I i “The [older film legends] y g agree and support the clinic’s a taught me how to put m l a mission to serve the 7.5 mil- H together ‘Act One,’ ‘Act Two,’ r e t e lion people in the state of P and ‘Act Three’ on every pro- y b

California who have nowhere o ject. We are all storytellers, and t o h else to go but clinics like these P it’s our job to make sure that and I will continue to do what- story gets told in a way that ever I can to help. The golf people across the board can tournament is a great way to understand. Start someplace, do that and I’m looking for- have it build, and have it lead ward to helping raise a lot of somewhere meaningful. money for the clinic and These people could take a having a great day with my story or a song, as Frank pals on a great golf course.” Sinatra did, and sing it to an audience that was complete.” R Weintraub’s early busi- The five-decade path that led ness role models, mean- Weintraub to his current posi- while, included Col. Tom tion of prominence began Parker, Armand Hammer, inauspiciously. After getting his and a Chicago businessman start as a New York actor and named Arthur Wirtz (who dutifully attending classes, he was his first financial backer), decided to sidestep into the- among others. atrical agencies and again into “In the beginning, I the music business, where the timing ment genres and trends, and I feel sought out five or six people 25 years of his arrival coincided with the birth of lucky that I had the chance to invent older than me,” he recalls. “At that rock ‘n’ roll. Ultimately, he made his things, such as concert tours and time, I had a lot of crazy ideas and mark by adding greater star power to a arena tours, which took shape with people my own age could not get their diverse range of artists (Frank Sinatra, Elvis on the scene. The shows and arms around them, so I went to older , , , movies I was involved with early on people because they sensed I had vision , and were started from scratch without any while people my age thought I was among them). From there, doors particular kind of formula. With every crazy. I wanted to do things that were opened for him to produce shows for project I’ve been connected to, even bigger than life.” Broadway, television, and, later, the today, I start with a blank sheet of Col. Parker, the architect of Elvis’s movies. Though he says producing fea- paper. It’s my job to define the project career, understood the concept of ture films is his favorite aspect of enter- and bring all the parts and aspects of thinking big. But he also wanted to tainment, he is grateful for the eclectic it together as a whole…as well as teach Weintraub the importance of trajectory that got him there. handpick the creative people I want being fair in one’s business dealings “Live entertainment was the per- to work with who I think can do a and treating partners with a certain fect training ground for what I do good job in helping bring it all level of respect.

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“The first time I made a million dol- his four children and four grandchil- Additionally, he believes in lars, I was 26 years old, and I had Elvis dren to follow paths that have greater extending breaks to young people from Presley on a major concert tour that personal meaning for them. While one a variety of backgrounds who possess lasted three weeks,” says Weintraub. daughter is a segment producer for the the same determination he exhibited “When the tour was over, I was back- popular entertainment news show half a century ago. “One key piece of stage in San Diego, looking the part Extra!, his son is a principal at advice I offer to all young people is to with long hair, cowboy boots, and avoid drugs and burning out too b u a jeans. Col. Parker came up to me r early, so they can empower them- t n i holding two large suitcases with him e selves to live up to their full poten- W y r and told me he needed to talk to me r tial,” he states. “I enjoy speaking at e J f privately in the other room. He had o universities and offering advice to y s e t me open both suitcases, filled to the r students interested in the business. u o c

top with a lot of money. I said, o [My company] has up to six college t o h

‘What’s this?’ and he replied, ‘That’s P interns working here at any given the money from the T-shirts, key time. I have them sit in on the meet- chains, and merchandise.’ Col. ings so they can really be a part of Parker continued, ‘It’s half yours what’s going on and understand because we were equal partners on what is involved, and how to be a this tour...50–50,’ he said.” viable part of the process. If you are “‘No,’ I corrected. ‘I only get truly a sponge and can really absorb half for the tour itself.’ He then had things, there is plenty for you to do me pile all the money up on the and learn around here. table. Once that was done, he took “Furthermore, I am approach- his cane and split the pile in half. able. I make it a point to answer ‘This half is yours, and this half is my own phone calls, and even if I mine,’ he said. And with that, I got don’t always have a lot of time to my first major payday, but also the At the Hollywood premiere of chat, especially when a film is in lesson about treating all people I Warner Bros.’ Ocean’s Twelve. production, I do make sure the “[L]eave enough on the table for the other guy, and make all deals fair on all sides so we can all move forward and enjoy the process of putting something together.” worked with fairly—leave enough on Countrywide Mortgage, another person on the other end gets some the table for the other guy, and make daughter is a teacher focused on edu- time with me.” all deals fair on all sides so we can all cating autistic children, and a third On this day, Weintraub puts his phi- move forward and enjoy the process daughter is pursuing a career as a fine losophy into practice, working harmo- of putting something together. We artist, painting and sculpting. niously with photographer Peter may not be doing rocket science or (Weintraub relates, laughing, she is a Halmagyi as he tries to figure out how to curing cancer, but we are doing a job starving artist with a Range Rover and capture this unique persona on film. people do value. You can imagine a Neiman Marcus credit card). He is Playfully, for the final shot, Weintraub pro- what kind of impression it made on proud of the fact that his oldest grand- poses positioning himself on his director’s me when I was 26.” daughter is studying environmental chair, with angles minimized and all the While the offspring of some of economics at the University of accoutrements of success in soft focus. Weintraub’s more successful peers have Vermont, and one of his 17-year-old What he is suggesting is a photo that followed their parents into the enter- grandsons has made inroads in golf captures his smile and his zeal for life—an tainment business, effortlessly landing course design and architecture with an image that will ultimately be enjoyed by plush jobs, Weintraub has encouraged internship with Tom Fazio. everyone who sees it. lifestyles

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