NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub dies

NEW YORK

Jerry Weintraub, the dynamic producer and manager who pushed the career of John Denver and produced such hit movies as “Nashville” and “Ocean’s Eleven” has died. He was 77.

Representatives for Weintraub said he died Monday of cardiac arrest in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Weintraub rose from talent agency mail-room employee to top concert promoter – working with the likes of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra – and shaping Denver’s career before tackling the movie business starting in the 1970s.

His attempt to found his own studio, Weintraub Entertainment Group, ended in bankruptcy. But his success as an independent producer spanned decades, from “Karate Kid” to 2013’s Emmy-winning Liberace drama “Behind the Candelabra,” a film he took to HBO after all the studios passed.

“Jerry was an American original who earned his success by the sheer force of his instinct, drive and larger-than-life personality,” said President George H.W. Bush, a longtime friend. “He had a passion for life, and throughout the ups and downs of his prolific career, it was clear just how much he loved show business.”

Caitlyn Jenner to write editorials on LGBT issues

LOS ANGELES

Caitlyn Jenner will be writing weekly online editorials about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and issues.

Jenner’s spokesman, Alan Nierob, said Monday that the editorials on the celebrity content website WhoSay are part of Jenner’s effort to explore matters of concern to the LGBT community.

Nierob declined to comment on other aspects of the effort, saying it’s too early to discuss them.

This month, the former Bruce Jenner will be featured in an eight-episode series depicting her transition to a new life as a woman. The series, titled “I Am Cait,” debuts July 26 on the E! Entertainment channel.

The Olympic champion has been part of the E! reality series “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”

Associated Press