Howard West, 'Seinfeld' Producer, Dies at 84

The New York native worked with such comedy legends as Andy Kaufman and Marty Feldman.

Howard West, longtime business partner of George Shapiro and best known for his work as a producer on Seinfeld, has died, a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 84.

West passed away on Thursday at UCLA Hospital in Westwood of a stroke.

West, born in New York City, and lifelong friend Shapiro were part of the team behind Seinfeld, which won multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody awards. It is widely considered one of the best comedies in TV history.

The pair formed management firm Shapiro-West and Associates.

West also produced Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall, the late comedian's 1980 TV special. West was an executive producer on Man on the Moon, the film telling the life story of Kaufman, starring Jim Carrey.

West graduated from Long Island University with a degree in business administration.

He served in the Army, after which he joined the William Morris Agency.

After becoming an agent and moving to Los Angeles, West worked on packaging shows, including The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.

West was also Young Frankenstein star Marty Feldman's personal manager for 10 years and worked as executive producer on The Last Remake of Beau Geste.