Tartikoff’s Kind Way

Re: “Why Brandon Tartikoff Really Mattered” (Aug. 29): In 1991 while working as a costumer on the then-NBC hit show “Night Court,” Brandon Tartikoff (then head of Paramount Studios), heard I was going through a recurrence of Hodgkin’s disease. I had never met him, yet I will never forget when my home phone rang and he was on the other end--asking about my treatments and how I was handling it all. We spoke uninterrupted for nearly an hour. His words of comfort, support and understanding that morning carried me through some extremely difficult times.

Last December, we finally met and I had the opportunity to tell him what a tremendous inspiration he had been for me. I am sure that my story is not unique. After reading articles and watching tributes, I see how deeply he touched others.

It saddens me to know that he beat the illness yet lost the battle against the ravages of the treatments. He will be remembered for many reasons but I think mainly for his care, concern and compassion.

JULIE STARR DRESNER

Los Angeles