Legendary Agent Ed Limato Dies at 73

Star maker and power broker Ed Limato, talent agent to many Hollywood A-listers, has passed away at age 73 of natural causes. He’d reportedly been in and out of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for the past several months. A Hollywood lifer, Limato started in ICM’s mailroom in 1966, eventually moved on to William Morris, and helped launch the careers of Denzel Washington, Steve Martin, Goldie Hawn, Liam Neeson, Billy Crystal, Robert Downey, Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer and more. Limato was famous for his pre-Oscar party, which he hosted at his home, barefoot; a practice which earned him the nickname “Barefoot Contessa.” In 2007, he left ICM to re-join William Morris Endeavor, and the following year, he won the Ischia Art Legend career achievement prize at the Global Film and Music Fest in Italy.