Marty Klein; Agent Helped Careers of Top Comedians

Marty Klein, a talent agent known for taking some of the country’s best-known comedians out of nightclubs and into the mainstream of Hollywood, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday morning.

Howard Bragman, a longtime friend, said Klein had gone to bed after watching the World Series game Saturday at his West Hollywood home, had awakened for a drink of water and evidently suffered the attack. He was 51.

Klein was president of Agency for Performing Arts (APA) and represented such comics as surrealist Steven Wright and Rick Moranis of “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid,” said Burton Taylor, another associate and friend.

Over the years his clients have included Rodney Dangerfield, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, John Candy, Martin Mull, Steve Martin and David Letterman.

Born in Montreal, Klein was raised in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he was briefly a disc jockey and a stand-up comic.

In 1962, he became a road manager for Shelley Berman, and in 1968 joined APA.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, and his mother, Sonia.

Services are pending.