Martin Baum (agent)

Baum, a native of New York City, was born on March 2, 1924. He initially worked as a stage manager following the war, and decided to become a talent agent after a series of failed stage productions. ==Career==

Baum and Abe Newborn co-founded their own talent agency, Baum-Newborn Agency, in 1948, which proved profitable. Young later bequeathed Baum his Oscar statuette following his suicide in 1978. In 1960, Baum partnered with Baum & Newborn Theatrical Agency to begin producing films and television in addition to his work as a publicist. Baum brought an extensive client list to the CAA when he joined the agency, including Peter Sellers and Sidney Poitier. More importantly to CAA founders, the merger with Baum's agency added legitimacy to CAA, which had only been founded one year prior to their overture to Baum. Baum became the first head of CAA's motion picture division. He remained a fixture at CAA until shortly before his death in 2010. Baum accumulated an extensive client list throughout his career. In addition to Sidney Poitier and Gig Young, his clients included Carroll O'Connor, Dyan Cannon, Gene Wilder, Julie Andrews, Richard Harris, Richard Attenborough, Maggie Smith, Harry Belafonte, Stockard Channing, Joanne Woodward, John Cassavetes, Jack Lemmon, Blake Edwards, Bette Davis, Gena Rowlands, Rod Steiger, Cliff Robertson and Red Buttons at various times throughout his career. ==Death==

Martin Baum died at his home in Beverly Hills, California on November 5, 2010, at the age of 86. He was survived by his daughter, Fern; son, Rich; three grandchildren; and his girlfriend of twelve years, Vicki Sanchez. His wife, Bernice Baum, died in 1997. ==Filmography==