JERRY WEINTRAUB the “Ultimate” Leading Man
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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, Vegas Vacation, the Karate Kid movies, pening,” he says as he turns down the television, music, or live theater— the forthcoming Nancy Drew, and the ringer on a snappy customized Weintraub is able to smoothly move first two George Clooney 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 Brad Pitt. “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 Los Angeles Music Center, 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.