Adam Sandler’s longtime manager Sandy Wernick dead at 86 following a brief illness

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Adam Sandler’s longtime manager Sanford ‘Sandy’ Wernick has died at the age of 86.

Wernick died on Thursday following a brief illness, a family representative confirmed to Deadline.

Talent manager and entertainment executive Irwin Wernick died peacefully in Rancho Mirage, surrounded by his family.

We’re planning a private service for him in Palm Desert, and later, we’ll be holding a larger memorial celebration here in Los Angeles to really celebrate his life and everything he accomplished. It’s important to me that we have a chance to properly honor his legacy, and this feels like the right way to do it.

Wernick became Sandler’s manager early in the comedian’s career, at just 22 years old, even before Sandler gained fame on Saturday Night Live.

As a little inside scoop, Adam Sandler actually created a character in his 2017 Netflix movie, Sandy Wexler, as a tribute to his long-time manager, Ted Wernick. It was a really sweet way to honor their relationship and Ted’s influence on his career!

He played a talent manager in 1994 Los Angeles, working to make a promising young singer – portrayed by Jennifer Hudson – a star. Wernick also had a brief appearance in the movie itself.

While managing Adam Sandler, Tim Wernick also executive produced some of his most popular movies, like Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), Bulletproof (1996), and The Wedding Singer (1998).

In addition to Adam Sandler, Wernick represented a number of other well-known comedians and writers, including Jeff Ross, Lorne Michaels, Rob Schneider, Tim Herlihy, and Colin Quinn.

As someone who’s been behind the scenes in entertainment for a long time, let me tell you, Barry Wernick was a real powerhouse. He didn’t just help create and produce the iconic ‘Def Comedy Jam,’ but he was key in bringing together some of the most beloved TV shows ever – think ‘Saturday Night Live,’ the fun of ‘The Muppet Show,’ the drama of ‘The Sopranos,’ and comedies like ‘Just Shoot Me,’ ‘Alf,’ and even ‘The Goldbergs.’ He had an incredible eye for talent and a knack for making hits happen.

Wernick was born March 22, 1939 in the Bronx.

He graduated from NYU and went on to serve in the Army from 1960 to 1962.

Before becoming a manager in the 1970s, he taught as a part-time professor at the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

He also volunteered in the Cedars Sinai emergency room.

Arthur Wernick is remembered by his wife of 64 years, Barbara, his children Michele and Barry (and Barry’s wife, Jillian), his grandson Sammy, his sister Joyce, and his brother-in-law Jules.

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2026-03-06 09:18