William Rawlinson Marsh (19 June 1917 – 19 December 1995) was a British theatrical agent.[2] Widely known as the "doyen of theatrical agents",[3] he was the founder and namesake of Billy Marsh Associates, a renowned entertainment agency, in recent times representing the likes of Jon Culshaw, Esther Rantzen and Fiona Phillips, while earlier discovering the careers of Sir Bruce Forsyth and Norman Wisdom.[4][5]
Billy Marsh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | William Rawlinson Marsh 19 June 1917[1] |
| Died | 19 December 1995 (aged 78) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Theatrical agent |
| Website | billymarsh |
Marsh is the only theatrical agent ever to be subject of This Is Your Life, surprised by Michael Aspel in 1990.[citation needed]
Managerial career
editBilly Marsh worked for Bernard Delfont's London Management company, with responsibility for stars including Morecambe and Wise, until 1987 when he formed his own talent management agency Billy Marsh Associates, which survived him[3], and was later purchased by Avalon Management Group in 2015.[6]
In 1991, Marsh founded his own show business promotions company, appointing friend and protégé Johnny Mans as managing director and partner, eventually becoming Johnny Mans Productions.[7][8]
On 17 June 1996, his ashes were interred underneath the stage at The London Palladium, alongside an honorary plaque, which was "in recognition of his belief, encouragement and kindness to countless talented performers, many of whom have become legends upon this stage".[3]
In December 2008 Marsh was the subject of the BBC Radio 4 programme Great Lives, nominated by William G.Stewart, and Michael Grade, the nephew of his long-time employer Bernard Delfont.[9]
References
edit- ^ England and Wales Death Registration Index: William Rawlinson Marsh
- ^ Green, James (22 December 1995). "Obituary: Billy Marsh". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- ^ a b c "The History of Billy Marsh". Billy Marsh Associates, Avalon Group. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- ^ Sir Bruce Forsyth: Lord Grade Recalls 'A Very Special Man', BBC, 18 August 2017, retrieved 25 December 2024
- ^ Farewell to the Gump: Norman Wisdom Dies, Emirates 24/7, 5 October 2010, retrieved 25 December 2024
- ^ Avalon Management Group Buys Billy Marsh Associates, The Guardian, 16 April 2015, retrieved 24 December 2024
- ^ "Johnny Mans Productions - Contact". Johnny Mans official website.
- ^ "Directors & Company Secretary Timeline". Companies House.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives - Series 17 Episode 2 of 9". BBC. December 2008.
External links
edit
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