Marshall Brickman

Marshall Brickman, a low-key writer whose show business career ranged across movies, late-night television comedy and Broadway, with the hit musical “Jersey Boys,” but who may be best remembered for collaborating on three of Woody Allen’s most enthusiastically praised films, including the Oscar-winning “Annie Hall,” died on Friday November 29 2024 in Manhattan. He was 85. His daughter Sophie Brickman confirmed the death. Marshall Jacob Brickman was born on Aug. 25, 1939, in Rio de Janeiro. His parents, Abram Brickman, who was born in Poland, and Pauline (Wolin) Brickman, who was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, were devoted socialists who lived and worked in Brazil. The couple moved to New York, where Abram Brickman ran an import-export business. Marshall attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with degrees in science and music. He played guitar as part of a folk group, the Tarriers. Its other members included Eric Weissberg, who would gain fame for the hit single “Dueling Banjos.” In 1964, Mr. Brickman played banjo as a member of the New Journeymen, a trio with John Phillips and Michelle Phillips. Brickman had already begun his writing career, working on the first season of “Candid Camera” (1960), Alan Funt’s pre-reality-show reality show. By 1969, he had become head writer for “The Tonight Show” during Johnny Carson’s glory days as host. His contribution to pop culture, Mr. Brickman said, was Carnac the Magnificent, a recurring sketch. During the 1970s, Mr. Brickman was one of four writers of a television pilot, “The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence,” which after considerable revision became “The Muppet Show,” In the 1980s, Mr. Brickman branched out into directing film comedies himself/ When he did sign on to write the “Jersey Boys” book with Rick Elice, his music degree came in handy. Brickman’s second Broadway musical was “The Addams Family” (2010). He also directed “Sister Mary Explains It All,” a 2001 Showtime movie In addition to his daughter Sophie, Mr. Brickman is survived by his wife, Nina Feinberg, a film editor and former ballerina, whom he married in 1973; another daughter, Jessica Brickman; and five grandchildren.