A TV legend best known for Two And A Half Men has sadly died.
The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of a true giant today, as tributes pour in for a man whose influence shaped television comedy for decades.
Colleagues remember him as ‘a legend in the TV business’ and ‘such an amazing agent and teacher to us all,’ per Deadline.
“He elevated the idea of what it means to be an agent,” said longtime associate Ted Chervin to the New York Post.
“He operated at a level of such sophistication and complexity and authority that he really changed the game. He had a real statesman-like quality to him in the way he interacted with the rest of the community.”
Director James Burrows, whose career was guided by this industry titan, shared an emotional farewell: “I can’t believe I won’t be able to call him anymore. I will miss you, my dear friend.”
UTA’s Jay Sures remembered him as ‘the fiercest competitor one can ever imagine,’ while WME’s Rick Rosen called him ‘a mentor to me and a tremendous influence on me and my career.’
The man behind these heartfelt tributes was Bob Broder, the legendary television agent who packaged some of the most beloved shows in TV history, including Two And A Half Men, Cheers, Frasier, The X-Files, and The Big Bang Theory.
Broder’s career spanned half a century and fundamentally changed how the television business operates.
He co-founded The Broder Kurland Agency in 1978, which later became Broder Webb Chervin Silbermann, a boutique agency that punched far above its weight by representing the biggest names in television.
The agency was eventually acquired by ICM, where Broder played a key role in the management buyout that created ICM Partners as an agent-owned company.
Known as one of ‘the real fathers of TV packaging,’ Broder helped reinvent the financial model of how shows are sold.
His packaged series read like a greatest hits of television comedy and drama, including Modern Family, The King Of Queens, Dharma & Greg, and Touched By An Angel.
Perhaps no show is more closely associated with Broder than Cheers.
His devotion to the show was so legendary that he was given a cameo in the series finale, appearing as the man knocking on the bar door in the final seconds of the episode.
Broder’s influence extended beyond his impressive client roster. He was a mentor to generations of young agents, overseeing ICM’s TV agent training program and spending countless hours guiding assistants and coordinators.
His departure from ICM in 2012 was met with two standing ovations from agency staff – a testament to the respect and affection he commanded.
His directness with colleagues earned him the nickname ‘Darth Broder,’ though those who knew him best saw through his gruff exterior to his generous heart.
“If he cared about you and if he believed in you, he was there for you through everything,” said former partner Chris Silbermann.
Broder passed away on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. In Jewish tradition, a person who dies on this holy day is viewed as a tzaddik – a person of exceptional righteousness, a fitting tribute to a man who elevated everyone around him.
He passed away on Tuesday, September 23, at age 85, surrounded by family following a battle with cancer.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Cindy, daughter Julie, son Greg, and an extended family that includes the countless lives he touched throughout his remarkable career.
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