Longtime comedy producer-manager Jack Rollins has passed away at the age of 100.
Collins died Thursday at his home in Manhattan, his daughter Susan confirmed to the New York Times.
Collins was a legend in the comedy world, and helped shape the careers of Woody Allen, Robin Williams and David Letterman. He co-produced alongside business partner Charles Joffe most of Allen's iconic 1970s movies and helped mentor the director. On Thursday, Allen issued a statement on Rollins: "He was one of the very few people in my life who lived up to the hype about him. All the stories about how great Jack Rollins was are true."
In the late 1970s, Collins met a young, unknown comedian named Robin Williams. The two worked together to control Williams' electric performances in order to bring structure and order to his stand up, according to Variety. He helped Williams land his breakthrough role on the TV show "Mort and Mindy." He also served as executive producer of "Late Night With David Letterman" on NBC from 1982 to 1992 when Letterman moved to CBS.
Rollins was born Jacob Rabinowitz on March 23, 1915 in Brooklyn. After spending World War II in India, Collins returned to New York itching to get into show business. He originally wanted to produce Broadway musicals, but instead stumbled into managing talent with Joffe. Along with Allen, Williams and Letterman, the two also helped shape the careers of Billy Crystal, Martin Short and the late Joan Rivers.
He is survived by his three daughters, Susan, Francesca and Hillary, along with four grandchildren.
