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'Ocean's Eleven,' 'Karate Kid' producer Jerry Weintraub dead at 77

By Marilyn Malara
Jerry Weintraub attends the 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala at Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California on January 3, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 4 | Jerry Weintraub attends the 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala at Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California on January 3, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., July 7 (UPI) -- Talent agent, promoter and film producer Jerry Weintraub -- known for such feats as managing Elvis Presley to producing the Ocean's franchise -- died Monday. He was 77 years old.

Reports confirm the wildly successful Weintraub died in a Santa Barbara hospital Monday morning of cardiac arrest. Many celebrities and political figures including George Clooney and former President George H.W. Bush have expressed sadness after hearing the news of Weintraub's death.

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"In the coming days, there will be tributes about our friend Jerry Weintraub," Clooney -- longtime friend and Ocean's star -- wrote in a statement. "We'll laugh at his great stories and applaud his accomplishments. And in the years to come, the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it. But not today."

"Today our friend died. To his family and friends, Amal and I send our love. And to those who didn't know him, we send our deepest sympathy. You would have loved him," he concluded.

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President George H.W. Bush and his wife also released a statement in memoriam of their friend.

"Jerry Weintraub was an American original, who earned his success by the sheer force of his instinct, drive and larger-than-life personality," Bush wrote in a a statement via his spokesman's Twitter account. "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."

"I used to tease him about being a 'black belt name-dropper,' but he really did seem to know everyone in showbiz -- and we join his many friends in remembering and celebrating his singular life," he concluded.

Original Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio extended his condolences via Twitter as well, saying that the renowned producer was "1 of a kind...Last of a breed. So glad I got to be 'that kid.'" Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen star Don Cheadle released a statement calling Weintraub "equal parts Godfather, rainmaker, caretaker, PT Barnum and friend."

"He will be sorely missed," Cheadle said.

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