Jay Stein, mastermind of the Universal Studios tram tour, dies at 88

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“Can you just give me one of your leftover sharks?”

Jay Stein was determined to transform a failing business into a successful asset for Universal Studios, which at the time was part of MCA, a major entertainment company led by Lew Wasserman.

After the huge success of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” in 1975, producer Tony Stein decided to take advantage of the movie’s popularity. He requested props from other filmmakers to help his team build a replica of the movie’s Amity Island coastline on the studio’s back lot, which was located some distance from downtown Los Angeles.

According to author Sam Gennawey, Stein cleverly suggested, ‘Let me have one of the leftover shark props – I can display it on the studio tour, and we’ll get some free publicity.’ This illustrates Stein’s smart thinking and his innovative approach to using studio assets, Gennawey explained to The Times.

Robert Stein passed away on November 5th at his home in Bend, Oregon, his wife, Connie Stein, reported. He was 88 years old and had been battling health issues from Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer.

She said in an interview on Sunday that while his passing leaves a significant void, he will be remembered for all he accomplished. She noted that it’s rare for someone to have such a lasting, positive impact on so many people, and that he continues to bring joy to others even now.

The tram tour’s famous shark encounter, which originally startled visitors when it opened in 1976, has been a popular attraction ever since. This was just one of many improvements made to the park by Stein during his three decades with MCA, including Universal’s expansion into Florida to rival Disney World.

Entertainment & Arts

Could the Universal Studios tram tour be the most influential theme park ride of all time? Originating in the days of silent movies, what started as a simple backlot tour has become a cornerstone of the modern theme park experience.

The success of the “Jaws” ride solidified Universal’s long-standing partnership with Steven Spielberg, leading to collaborations on iconic films like “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” and “The Fabelmans.” It also inspired other attractions based on popular movies, including a live “Waterworld” stunt show and a “King Kong” ride.

Stein insisted that the ape would spew “banana breath,” his wife said.

At Universal, these surprising and exciting moments were called “JayBangs,” a term Gennawey used for the title of his 2016 book about Jay Stein’s impact on the theme park industry: “JayBangs: How Jay Stein, MCA, & Universal Invented the Modern Theme Park and Beat Disney at Its Own Game.”

Gennawey said Jay really wanted me to be in the movie – he even joked about wanting to ‘shake me up’ a little to get my attention.

Stein was born in New York City on June 17, 1937, to Samuel and Sylvia “Sunny” (Goldstein) Stein.

Stein’s father was a watch salesman, and the family moved to Los Angeles when Stein was a child. As a teenager, he’d sometimes skip class to go to Hollywood Park Racetrack and gamble on horse races. He even forged report cards, changing his grades to look better.

The deception came to light when the family temporarily returned to New York, just as Stein was about to finish high school. A meeting with school officials revealed he hadn’t earned enough credits to graduate, but he was able to make up the coursework over the summer.

The family moved back to Los Angeles. Stein went to UC Berkeley and studied political science, but he didn’t finish his degree, leaving just before graduation.

He started his career with service in the Army National Guard. In 1959, as his military service was ending, he took a job in the mailroom at MCA. He originally hoped to work in film production, but around the mid-1960s, he transitioned into their new concert touring division.

Travel & Experiences

Let me paint a picture for you. Picture this: you’re gliding into one of the Metro Rail’s brand new stations, way down beneath the bustling city. It’s a surprisingly immersive experience, and honestly, it sets a really interesting tone for what’s to come…

I remember when the company first started the tram tour back in 1964. It was originally intended as a way to generate some extra income from all the land they owned. Honestly, though, some of the higher-ups didn’t think much of it – they considered it a bit cheap, and I worried it wouldn’t last.

In a 2023 interview with The Times, Stein explained that it all began with just two trams and a small, prefabricated building on Lankershim Boulevard.

According to Stein, the tram was seen as a hindrance to filming. He worked in production and was responsible for figuring out how close they could get to the backlot without causing problems. Everyone he worked with felt the tram was bothersome and unwelcome.

According to Gennawey, Stein successfully persuaded people about the value of the studio tour, which ultimately ensured its survival.

Gennawey considers Stein a key pioneer of U.S. theme parks.

Gennawey described him as highly competitive. He understood Disney was successful, but believed Universal could offer something unique and appealing, especially when both companies were first starting out.

Disneyland was, of course, a top draw.

Gennawey explained that if you lived in Los Angeles and had visitors, they’d often request a trip to Hollywood. However, because Hollywood wasn’t always considered a safe or appealing destination, people often took their guests to Universal Studios instead.

Stein’s contributions have only recently been appreciated, according to Gennawey.

This was mainly due to Stein’s belief, shared by Wasserman, that successful talent should be the focus, while executives should remain behind the scenes. Stein also left Universal in the mid-1990s, following its purchase by the Japanese company Matsushita, and retired soon after.

Gennawey noted that Stein had feared each new owner of Universal wouldn’t appreciate how valuable the theme parks were, and unfortunately, that concern turned out to be true.

That changed in 2011 when Comcast acquired NBCUniversal and began investing heavily.

Hollywood Inc.

The long-standing competition between Universal and Disney theme parks is intensifying with the debut of Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando.

Universal’s new $7 billion theme park, Universal Epic Universe, opened near Orlando, Florida, and has been receiving very positive feedback.

NBCUniversal’s theme park division, featuring locations in Los Angeles, Florida, Japan, and China, is a major source of consistent profit. These parks generated $8.6 billion in revenue last year.

Stein is remembered by his wife, his son Gary Stein, his daughter Darolyn Bellemeur, and their families. He is also survived by his brother, Ira Stein, a nephew, cousins, and the children and grandchildren of Connie Stein.

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2025-11-24 03:02