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| Obituaries:
04/01/2010
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Michael S. Rosenfeld, age 75
We mourn the loss of Michael S. Rosenfeld, who died on March 25 of respiratory failure, after a protracted illness. Mike was a 30-year resident of Kenwood, who was best known in Los Angeles as a founding partner of Creative Artists Agency, but in the Sonoma Valley for his personalized “KNWD MAN” license plates. He was 75 years old and had recently lived in both Oakmont and Los Angeles. He was born in Philadelphia on June 28, 1934, to the late State Senator Maxwell S. Rosenfeld, and the late Edith Rosenfeld Ginsburg. He is survived by his sons Maxwell, Michael, and Jackson, and by his daughter Molly. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law Sonya and Glenele, and by three grandchildren, Casey, Willy and Hannah, as well as his aunt, Gertrude Mandell. Mike was a talented musician and composer, and had a clever and pointedly charming wit. He appeared at the age of 11 on the Horn and Hardart Children’s Hour playing the guitar, and then at 16 began composing music, first at Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia and then at Penn State. He was most proud of the hit musical revue he created in 1956, his senior year. He enjoyed an exemplary career as a talent agent, starting in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency in New York in 1957, then moving to the firm’s L.A. offices in 1959. In 1975 he helped found Creative Artists Agency along with Bill Haber, Ron Meyer, Michael Ovitz, and Rowland Perkins. He represented Rita Moreno and George Charikis, and got them their parts in the film version of Westside Story, for which they both won Oscars. He represented William Link and Richard Levinson, creators of Columbo, Mannix, and Murder, She Wrote. He brought the creative elements together for the hit movie FAME in 1980. He sold the first TV mini-series in 1976 entitled Rich Man, Poor Man. He convinced Disney to cast Dick Van Dyke in his iconic role in Mary Poppins. He also represented Marlo Thomas, Joanne Woodward, Ann-Margaret, Eva Marie Saint, and Dyan Cannon as well as many others. He played an important role in the growth and success of CAA, before leaving in the early 1980s to pursue a career as a producer. While at CAA he prided himself on starting the literary department, developing relationships with Mort Janklow and Sterling Lord. He produced the skateboard film Thrashin’ in 1986, which remains a cult classic today, as well as Flowers In The Attic, based on the bestselling novel. He also produced the top rated television movie, The Case of the Hillside Stranglers, along with former wife Carole Coates, and the Emmy nominated mini-series Fatal Vision. Mike had a great passion for flying airplanes and made many trips to Mexico and the Baja Peninsula, including delivering medical supplies for Doctors Without Borders. During the 1990s he co-owned the flight-based operation and flying school Dragonfly Aviation, which is still located at the Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport. Mike was one of many who envisioned the commercial potential of the airport, and he personally brought the first twin-engine charter service to the field. He also enjoyed helping pilots achieve their advanced instrument ratings. Mike served as a citizen advisor for advanced protocols at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Of all his accomplishments, Michael S. Rosenfeld was most thankful for his many lifelong friendships. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 8, at 11 a.m. at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1218 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. |
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