In 1960, Baum partnered with Baum & Newborn Theatrical Agency to begin producing films and television in addition to his work as a publicist. He became a production executive at both Optimus Productions and Creative Management Association. Baum's credits as a producer included The Last Valley, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, The Wilby Conspiracy and The Killer Elite, all of which were released in the 1970s. In 1976, the five founding partners of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) – Michael S. Rosenfeld, Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, William Haber and Rowland Perkins – proposed that Martin Baum join CAA. The five agents had formed CAA in 1975 after they departed the William Morris Agency (WMA). Baum accepted the offer, completing the merger of his Martin Baum Agency with CAA on October 11, 1976. Baum brought an extensive client list to the CAA when he joined the agency, including Peter Sellers and Sidney Poitier. More importantly to CAA founders, the merger with Baum's agency added legitimacy to CAA, which had only been founded one year prior to their overture to Baum. Baum became the first head of CAA's motion picture division. He remained a fixture at CAA until shortly before his death in 2010. Baum accumulated an extensive client list throughout his career. In addition to Sidney Poitier and Gig Young, his clients included Carroll O'Connor, Dyan Cannon, Gene Wilder, Julie Andrews, Richard Harris, Richard Attenborough, Maggie Smith, Harry Belafonte, Stockard Channing, Joanne Woodward, John Cassavetes, Jack Lemmon, Blake Edwards, Bette Davis, Gena Rowlands, Rod Steiger, Cliff Robertson and Red Buttons at various times throughout his career. Death Martin Baum died at his home in Beverly Hills, California on November 5, 2010, at the age of 86. He was survived by his daughter, Fern; son, Rich; three grandchildren; and his girlfriend of twelve years, Vicki Sanchez. His wife, Bernice Baum, died in 1997. References 1924 births 2010 deaths American talent agents People from Beverly Hills, California Businesspeople from New York City United States Army personnel of World War II American Broadcasting Company executives United States Army soldiers