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Adam Sandler's longtime manager Sanford 'Sandy' Wernick has died at the age of 86.
Wernick passed away on Thursday following a brief illness, a family representative confirmed to Deadline.
The talent manager, who was a partner/senior executive VP at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, died in Rancho Mirage, California, comforted by the presence of his family and loved ones.
A private service is set to take place in Palm Desert, with a memorial celebration planned in Los Angeles at a later date to honor his legacy.
Wernick famously signed Sandler, 59, as a client when the comedian was only 22, before he found fame on Saturday Night Live.
Sandler paid homage to his manager by playing a character inspired by Wernick in the 2017 Netflix film Sandy Wexler.
Adam Sandler's longtime manager Sanford 'Sandy' Wernick has died at the age of 86 on Thursday; Wernick and Sandler are pictured in 2017 in Los Angeles
He portrayed a talent manager in 1994 Los Angeles trying to launch the career of a gifted young singer played by Jennifer Hudson. Wernick even made a special cameo appearance in the film.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Sandler for comment.
While promoting Sandy Wexler in 2017 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Sandler shared a heartwarming tribute to his manager.
'This guy Sandy, he's like my family, and I love him more than anything, and he's a very sweet guy. He's a great man. And he's been with me since I'm a young boy.'
During his time as Sandler's manager, Wernick served as an executive producer on several of the comedian's hit films, including Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), Bulletproof (1996), and The Wedding Singer (1998).
Aside from Sandler, Wernick's client list also included Jeff Ross, Lorne Michaels, Rob Schneider, Tim Herlihy, Colin Quinn and more.
Wernick, who co-created and executive produced Def Comedy Jam, was also instrumental in packaging and producing a legendary lineup of television hits, including Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, and The Sopranos, as well as Just Shoot Me, Alf, and The Goldbergs.
Wernick was born March 22, 1939 in the Bronx.
Wernick passed away in Rancho Mirage following a brief illness, a family representative confirmed to Deadline; He is pictured in 2017
Wernick famously signed Sandler as a client when the comedian was only 22, before he found fame on Saturday Night Live
Sandler paid homage to his manager by playing a character inspired by Wernick in the 2017 Netflix film Sandy Wexler; Pictured in a still from the film
He graduated from NYU and went on to serve in the Army from 1960 to 1962.
Before starting his career as a manager in the 1970s, he worked as an adjunct professor at USC School of Cinematic Arts' Peter Stark Producing Program.
He also volunteered in the Cedars Sinai emergency room.
Wernick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara, daughter Michele, son Barry and daughter-in-law Jillian, as well as grandson Sammy, sister Joyce, and brother-in-law Jules.
English (US) ·