Susan Grode

Susan Grode, a pioneering Hollywood lawyer to creative stars and the mother of Legendary Entertainment CEO Josh Grode, has died. She was 86. Grode passed away on Feb. 8 2026 in Los Angeles. She was a partner at Katten Muchin LLP and served as co-chair of the national entertainment and media department until her retirement in 2021. Grode was known in the entertainment industry as an advocate for artist rights as she helped define early contractual protections considered standard today. Born on March 28. 1939 in New York City, Grode graduated from Cornell University and started her career as a painter. That led to work as an art book editor at Harry N. Abrams. After moving to Los Angeles, she attended the USC School of Law as one of only four women in her graduating class. Her early legal practice after being licensed as a lawyer in California in 1977. Grode served on the boards of the USC School of Dramatic Arts, the Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles, and the Ojai Playwrights Conference. She is survived by her sister Joan Kofsky, son Jason Grode and partner Maryl Georgi, and son Joshua Grode, wife Lisa Grode and their children Jacob, Rachel and Joe.