HOLLYWOOD (CelebrityAccess) – Jack L. Gilardi, a longtime ICM Partners agent whose client roster over the years included Burt Reynolds, Sylvester Stallone, Jerry Lewis, Shirley MacLaine, Charlton Heston, Ann-Margret, Joe Mantegna, and Frankie Avalon, has passed away. He was 88.
News of his death was announced by ICM Partners who said that Gilardi passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family.
Among his early clients was former Mouseketeer and star of American-International’s “Beach Party” film franchise Annette Funicello, who he was married to from 1965 to 1983. Funicello died in 2013 of complications due to multiple sclerosis at the age of 70.
In a memo to agency staff, ICM Partners’ Chris Silbermann and Rick Levy wrote: “We are all indebted to Jack for setting a standard of excellence as an agent, a father, a mentor and a friend. Importantly, he did this with compassion, humanity and a great sense of humor. To know Jack was to know what it felt like to have that wonderful uncle warmly welcome you to family dinner over the holidays. Simply, he cared deeply about this company and truly treated it, and us, like family. Jack will be greatly missed.”
Gilardi would have celebrated his 65th anniversary at ICM next month.
In 2016, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence as a Talent Agent at the Heller Awards in recognition of his unending service to the entertainment business and the community he helped foster.
Gilardi is survived by a daughter, Gina; sons Jacky and Jason; and four grandchildren. A private funeral will be held for family, and ICM Partners will host a memorial celebration, with details forthcoming.
