Charles Joffe

Jul 17 2008 by Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

HE WAS the epitome of the extroverted, fast-talking, tough-negotiating, cigar-chomping, Brooklyn-born showbiz agent and one of his clients, the actor Robin Williams, described him affectionately as “the Beast”.

Charles Joffe, who has died, aged 78, was a high-powered Broadway and Hollywood agent, best known for promoting and producing Woody Allen’s long comedy and film career. Far from just an obsessive money man in for the quick hit, Joffe, with his business partner, Jack Rollins (sweeter-natured and an expert ego-handler), believed in finding and maturing talent for decades. Thanks to them, entertainers such as Allen, Harry Belafonte, Steve Martin, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal enjoyed lengthy A-list success. Their earliest clients were up-market comedy duo Mike Nichols and Elaine May, who, like Allen, they developed into successful directors.

Known for his awesome deals, Joffe negotiated $25,000 for each of Crystal’s appearances hosting the top US comedy show Saturday Night Live, causing the comic’s comment: “Mr Joffe excels at nailing down the big money.”

The son of a pharmacist, Joffe was booking dance bands for local nightclubs while studying journalism at university. Realising he would not succeed as a cabaret artist, he joined talent agency MCA as a junior agent and met Rollins, who was trying to promote short-order cook Belafonte as a folk singer. Forming their own agency in 1953, the two perfectly complemented each other and their one-room office on 57th Street became a powerhouse of nascent talent.

Allen was already earning good money as a comedy writer when they signed him in 1958, and the duo urged him to perform his own material. After a shaky start at venues where Allen recalled “on a good night there was an audience of 12”, by 1963 he was headlining across the US. But Joffe wanted Allen in films and the comic was asked to script What’s New Pussycat? When Allen complained it would be awful, Joffe snapped: “You’re trying to get into films. It’s going to be a big picture with a lot of stars. You’ll have a nice time in London playing poker every night and visiting all the museums. Just shut up.” Joffe produced Allen’s forthcoming 42nd film, Vicky Christina Barcelona, starring Penelope Cruz.

Charles Joffe, film producer; born, July 16, 1929,died, July 9, 2008