Known as the gentleman of Hollywood agents, Ed Limato spent 44 years helping turn aspiring young actors into stars.  He worked with many of the big name talents, including Billy Crystal, Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Denzel Washington.  Even more than their agent, Limato was known for developing real friendships with the actors that he helped to build careers.

In an interview in 2005 with Variety, Limato revealed what is now an unusual perspective on talent and it shows how he thought about his clientele.

“Many agents tend to look at talent as a commodity today, to help build their own careers,” he said.  “I still think of talent as something to be served.  If you believe in a client, you stick with them through the ups and downs.”

Limato spent his entire adult life in the show business industry, starting out as a disc jockey with radio stations in Florida and Lousiana.  He then did a stint as assistant to director Franco Zeffirelli in Italy before getting his first job with a talent agency in 1966,

His career had a humble beginning, sorting mail for the Ashley Famous Agency in New York City.  As the company grew, so did Limato and he became a talent agent by the time the agency became the International Creative Management that it is still called today.  He moved between that agency and the William Morris Agency throughout the rest of his career.