Irving Fein, a veteran studio publicist who became the longtime manager of Jack Benny and later George Burns, died Friday. He was 101. The Brooklyn native began his showbiz career in the publicity and advertising department at Warner Brothers in New York City. After he earned his law degree he was offered a job in the WB legal department but instead moved to the West Coast and began working in the Warners mailroom. Eventually he worked in publicity at Warner Bros, Columbia Pictures and MGM. In 1947 he went to work for Jack Benny as the radio and TV star’s publicity and advertising director and then became his manager. Fein accepted a job as an executive at CBS in 1956 and moved to New York but in less than a year moved back to Hollywood to return to work for Benny as president of J&M Productions, which produced Benny’s own TV show and a handful of others. After Benny’s weekly TV show ended in 1965 Fein continued as executive producer of his yearly specials on NBC. Fein’s association with Benny lasted 28 years. Toward the end of Benny’s life, Fein began working with George Burns and became his manager after Gracie Allen died. Fein also wrote a biography, Jack Benny: An Intimate Biography, for which Burns wrote the introduction. Fein’s 22-year association with Burns continued through the end of the comedian’s life in 1996. Fein handled Burns’ stand-up appearances in Las Vegas and on network TV as well as his movie career that included a Supporting Actor Oscar-winning role for The Sunshine Boys, and assembling an impressive gathering of celebrities for Burns’ 100th birthday celebration. Survived by his second wife Marion Schecter and three children including TV producer Tisha Fein. (Photo of Fein from interview posted on TV Academy Archive of American Television)


Near the end of George Burns’ life, he maintained an office in Hollywood where I was writing some shitty TV show. One day in the elevator me and another writer started talking to Irving who was managing George. “Wanna come meet him?” Later that day we went up to George’s office and Irving ushered us in to meet the great man. He was sitting high up in a directors chair, near senile, but excited that someone was coming in to meet him. Irving said, “George there’s two young writers here to meet you.” George then rattled off some of his best (and old) lines and when I looked over at Irving, he was so proud that he had made George’s day. That’s a manager!
Far too soon
Manager of Jack Benny and George Burns? Wow, this guy really experienced the end of radio and the birth of TV’s Golden Age.
He was wonderful. Always a smile and a simple “everything OK” “what are you doing”
Lots of fantastic stories and they were all fun,exciting and true.
A wonderful human being and a man who will be missed and lived a wonderful life at 101. Impressive!
Worked with him years ago doing publicity for the film of “The Sunshine Boys” where he repped Burns who’d replaced Jack Benny, whom he’d also repped (and no doubt pushed producers to cast Burns). Fein was the kind of manager every celeb wants and very few have. Now I bet he’s gone on to partner with Broadway Danny Rose.
My Dad was dear friends with Irving having met him through his close relationship with Jack.
We were guests of theirs in Vegas once, and they were so dear and kind to me. When my plane lost my suitcase, he and Jack bought me all new clothes to wear for the weekend. So kind, so generous,
and so funny. He will be missed.
Sad news…
Irving was a great man and the ultimate pro. Always ‘let’s do this’…’how can I help’. He made working fun and rewarding because he appreciate everyone. I loved working with him and trying to keep up with him. Rest in Peace, Irving.
That is such a cool story PDT. Thanks for sharing.
PDT is Pacific Daylight Time,
. But yes, good stories! Long life…and active too!