Irving Paul Lazar facts for kids

Irving Lazar and Polly Bergen

Irving Paul "Swifty" Lazar (born Samuel Lazar; March 28, 1907 – December 30, 1993) was a famous American lawyer and talent agent. He was known for making big deals for movie stars and authors. Some of his clients included famous people like Humphrey Bogart and even President Richard Nixon.

Early Life and Becoming an Agent

Samuel Lazar was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family. He studied at Fordham University and then went to Brooklyn Law School, finishing in 1931. While working as a lawyer, he helped a performer named Ted Lewis with a business deal. This made Lazar realize he could earn a lot of money by helping artists and celebrities. This is how he started his career as an agent.

A Career of Big Deals

Lazar moved to Hollywood in 1936. After World War II, he settled in Los Angeles for good. He earned his nickname "Swifty" from actor Humphrey Bogart. Bogart gave him this name because Lazar managed to close three major deals for him in just one day!

Lazar became a top agent for many famous people. His clients included actors like Lauren Bacall, Cary Grant, and Madonna. He also represented writers like Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway. Lazar was so powerful that he could arrange deals even for people who weren't his direct clients. He would then get a fee from their own agents. A famous quote about him was, "Everybody who matters has two agents: his own and Irving Lazar."

Helping the War Effort

During World War II, Lazar had a great idea with Benjamin Landis. They suggested to the U.S. Army Air Forces that they create a play. This play would encourage people to join the army and raise money for soldiers. The general agreed, and the play Winged Victory was created. It was a huge success, seen by over a million people across the U.S. A movie version was also made.

Expanding His Work

In the 1950s, Lazar started making deals for books, not just movies. He also worked as an executive producer for films and TV shows. For example, he helped produce the movie Neighbors (1981) and the TV miniseries The Thorn Birds (1983).

The Story Behind A Bronx Tale

In 1988, a party was held for Lazar. Chazz Palminteri, who later became a famous actor, was working as a bouncer at the club. Palminteri didn't know who Lazar was and stopped him from entering. Lazar got him fired. Because he was now unemployed, Palminteri was inspired to write his own story. This story became the play A Bronx Tale.

Some of Lazar's Famous Clients

Personal Life

In 1962, Lazar married Mary Van Nuys, who was a model.

Death

Irving Lazar passed away in 1993 at the age of 86. He had health problems from diabetes. Doctors wanted to perform surgery, but Lazar refused. He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, Los Angeles. His wife had passed away earlier that same year.

Legacy and Pop Culture

After his death, Lazar's autobiography, Swifty: My Life and Good Times, was finished and published. Other books also included chapters about his life.

Lazar has appeared as a character in plays and movies.

• In the play Frost/Nixon, and its 2008 film version, Lazar is shown making a deal for President Richard Nixon to be interviewed by David Frost.
• He was also a character, thinly disguised, in the 1956 play Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?.
• On The Muppet Show, there was a parody character of Lazar named Irving Bizarre, who was Fozzie Bear's agent.
• Actor Burgess Meredith based his character in the 1978 film Magic on Irving Lazar. Meredith even shaved his head and copied Lazar's quiet way of speaking.