Sandy Wernick, Adam Sandlers Manager, Dies at 86

's longtime manager Sanford 'Sandy' Wernick has died at the age of 86.

Wernick died on Thursday following a brief illness, a family representative confirmed to Deadline.

Wernick, who was a talent manager and partner/senior executive VP at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, passed away in Rancho Mirage, , comforted by the presence of his family and loved ones.

A private service is set to take place in Palm Desert, with a memorial celebration planned in Los Angeles at a later date to honor his legacy. 

Wernick famously signed Sandler as a client when the comedian was only 22, before he appeared on . 

Sandler paid homage to his manager by playing a character inspired by Wernick in the 2017  film Sandy Wexler.

He portrayed a talent manager in 1994 trying to launch the career of a gifted young singer played by . Wernick even made a special cameo appearance in the film.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Sandler for comment. 

Wernick passed away in Rancho Mirage following a brief illness, a family representative confirmed to Deadline; He is pictured in 2017