Sandy Wernick, Adam Sandler’s Manager and Inspiration for ‘Sandy Wexler,’ Passes Away at 86

Sanford ‘Sandy’ Wernick, Influential Talent Manager, Passes Away at 86

Sanford ‘Sandy’ Wernick, a prominent talent manager and senior executive vice president at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, has passed away at the age of 86.

Wernick began his career in the 1970s, representing a roster of notable clients including Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy, Lorne Michaels, Jeff Ross, Colin Quinn, and Rob Schneider. He co-created and served as an executive producer for the influential show Def Comedy Jam and contributed to the production of iconic series such as Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, The Sopranos, Just Shoot Me, Alf, and The Goldbergs.

As Sandler’s manager, Wernick was an executive producer on several of his standout films, including Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), Bulletproof (1996), and The Wedding Singer (1998).

In a nod to his significant influence, Sandler portrayed a character inspired by Wernick in the 2017 Netflix film Sandy Wexler, which follows a talent manager navigating the music scene in 1994 Los Angeles. Wernick made a cameo in the film.

Born on March 22, 1939, in the Bronx, Wernick graduated from New York University and served in the Army from 1960 to 1962. He also worked as an adjunct professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and volunteered in the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Wernick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; daughter Michele; son Barry; daughter-in-law Jillian; grandson Sammy; sister Joyce; brother-in-law Jules; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.