Martin Baum (agent)

Martin "Marty" Baum (March 2, 1924 – November 5, 2010) was an American talent agent known for his work at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), including the first head of the agency's motion picture department. During his career, which spanned from the 1940s until 2010, his client list at CAA and other agencies included Bette Davis, Bo Derek, Richard Attenborough, Red Buttons, Maggie Smith and Rock Hudson. Baum was also the President of ABC Pictures, the film division of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), from 1968 until 1971.

Baum, a native of New York City, was born on March 2, 1924. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II while still in high school, taking part in the Allied Normandy landings in France. He initially worked as a stage manager following the war, and decided to become a talent agent after a series of failed stage productions.

Baum and Abe Newborn co-founded their own talent agency, Baum-Newborn Agency, in 1948, which proved profitable. They later sold the firm to General Artists Corp (GAC). Baum moved to Los Angeles in 1960 when he became the head of GAC's motion picture talent division. Baum then joined Ashley Famous Agency after leaving GAC.

He then formed his own agency, the Martin Baum Agency, which later merged with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

In the interim, Baum became the head of ABC Pictures in 1968, the film division of American Broadcasting Company (ABC). As President, Baum oversaw the production of a number of films, including They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), Straw Dogs (1971) and Cabaret (1972). His client Gig Young won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?. Young later bequeathed Baum his Oscar statuette following his suicide in 1978.

...
Wikipedia