Film, TV, stage producer Tony Adams dead

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Veteran Broadway stage, television and Hollywood film producer Tony Adams has died of a stroke in New York at age 52.

Adams -- who produced Blake Edwards' "Pink Panther" films, "S.O.B.," "10" and both screen and stage versions of "Victor/Victoria" -- died unexpectedly Saturday at Beth Israel Hospital, Playbill reported.

Adams got his start as personal assistant to director John Boorman during the making of "Deliverance." Star Burt Reynolds offered him a job on his Florida ranch so he could stay in the United States and eventually introduced him to Edwards, who took him under his wing while a student at Pepperdine University, Playbill said.

Adams eventually became president of Blake Edwards Entertainment.

In addition to his stage and film work, Adams had numerous TV production credits, working with stars such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Michael Jackson, among others.

His first marriage to Avril Adams and his second marriage to Debrah Farentino ended in divorce. He is survived by his third wife, Broadway actress Anne Runolfsson; two daughters, two sons,for sisters and four brothers.