Hollywood Stars React to Death of Producer Jerry Weintraub

The death Monday of award-winning producer Jerry Weintraub is bringing reaction from the Hollywood stars with whom he worked.

• “Karate Kid,” “Oceans 11” Producer, Jerry Weintraub, Dies at 77

Weintraub produced the “Oceans 11” movies. George Clooney was quick to react, “In the coming days, there will be tributes about our friend Jerry Weintraub. We’ll laugh at his great stories, and applaud his accomplishments. And in the years to come the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it. But not today. Today our friend died. To his family and friends, Amal and I send our love. And to those who didn’t know him we send our deepest sympathy. You would have loved him.”

Ralph Macchio, who starred as the title character of “The Karate Kid,” wrote on Twitter, “So sad at loss of Jerry Weintraub, you were 1 of a kind, my friend. Last of a breed. So glad I got to be ‘that kid.”’

Weintraub’s publicist said the producer died of heart failure in Santa Barbara. Earlier reports said he died in Palm Springs.

Flowers will be placed on Weintraub’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

--Photo: Jerry Weintraub receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; Image via Hollywood Walk of Fame