Herb Lazarus, an international TV distribution executive who had a nearly 70-year long career in television, died April 18 in Los Angeles. He was 88.
Most recently, Lazarus served as international TV president for Carsey-Werner Television Distribution for 27 years.
Lazarus was known for his humor, charm, business wisdom and the longterm relationships he formed.
At Carsey-Werner, he shepherded large deals across the globe, for such hits as “That ‘70s Show,” “Roseanne,” “The Cosby Show” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.”
“Herb was so warm and fun to be around but when it came to getting business done, he was among the greats of the industry,” said Robert Dubelko, president-COO of Carsey-Werner Television. “Everyone here is extremely sad but can’t help but smile recounting his poker-playing face and the countless laughs it delivered to all of us.’”
“He saw the lighter side of our business and always said that we were lucky it didn’t involve decisions of life and death,” said Alexandra Taylor, Carsey-Werner’s London-based EVP of international. She recalls one incident at MIPCOM in which a Belgian buyer apologetically notified them at the last minute he couldn’t make a planned lunch.
“Herb’s reaction was to ask the buyer to put out his hand. Both the buyer and I wondered what on earth was about to happen. Herb produced his wallet and started putting Euro notes in the buyer’s hand, saying, ‘This is the money we’re saving by not taking you out – please take it.’”
Lazarus started his long career in 1955 when his cartoonist brother Mel designed an end credit for Television Programs of America, which led to Herb Lazarus getting a job in the TPA mailroom at the age of 19.
In 1963, Lazarus was hired as the assistant to Alan Silverbach, then the head of 20th Century Fox’s domestic and international TV operations. Lazarus eventually worked his way to leading the department at a time when the television business saw dramatic growth and Hollywood’s level of TV exports grew significantly.
He served as VP of international TV distribution for both 20th Century Fox (1963-71) and Columbia Pictures (1971-78), and later for Stephen J. Cannell Productions. His career also encompassed three incarnations of Silverbach-Lazarus, a partnership with close friend and one-time boss Alan Silverbach.
A native of Brooklyn, Lazarus attended James Madison High School.
He is survived by his wife, Shelley; two sons, Sid and Michael; and three grandchildren, Sam, Karly and Faith. He was preceded in death by son Robert Lazarus, who died at age 43 in 2005.
A funeral service is scheduled for April 21 at 11 a.m. at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Donations may be made in Lazarus’ name to Robert David Lazarus Pulmonary Unit at Cedars Sinai Hospital.
