Charles Melniker, a business executive at CAA since 2001, died at home on Tuesday. He was 60 years old and had lung cancer.
Melniker, who earned a law degree from Fordham University School of Law, began his career as associate council at the United Artists Corp. He moved to RCTV/The Entertainment Channel before moving with his family to Los Angeles in 1983.
In L.A., he went to work at ICM and later at Columbia Pictures. He opened the management firm Melniker Management, representing writers, directors, actors and producers. He joined CAA in 2001 and stayed at the agency for the rest of his life.
"We have lost a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the great fortune to know him," CAA's partners said in a written statement. "Charles was not merely a remarkably talented and widely admired colleague, but an inspiration as well.
"His relentless optimism, passion for his work, and devotion to his family and friends were regular reminders to us all of what it means to embrace and enjoy life."
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Melniker was a family man who loved spending his weekends watching his daughters play lacrosse for Yale University — and telling others about their accomplishments. He always kept family in mind, and began his work calls by asking about other peoples' families.
He was known for his laughter, his love of the Rolling Stones, for putting others at ease.
He was born in Rockville Centre, N.Y. to Benjamin and Shirley Melniker. He graduated from Tufts University with a degree in political science in 1973, before attending Fordham's law school.
He is survived by his wife, Nadine, his daughter Avital and her husband, David Berman; his daughter Sophie and her husband, Matthew Shuman; his daughter Lara; his granddaughter, Zoe Berman; his brother Harvey, his parents and nieces and nephews.
