WOODY ALLEN - ALLEN'S PRODUCER JOFFE DIES

WOODY ALLEN's manager and co-producer CHARLES JOFFE has died. He was 78.
Joffe passed away Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Wednesday (09Jun08), following a long illness.
He had helped shape the careers of many high profile comedians including Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Lenny Bruce, and signed Allen to his New York-based agency when the funnyman was an unknown writer.
With Joffe's help, Allen negotiated his first movie deal for 1965's What's Up Pussycat - writing and starring in the film.
And in 1969 Joffe began to produce Allen's films, working alongside the Hollywood legend right up until his most recent release - this year's (08) Vicky Cristina Barcelona starring Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson.
Joffe is survived by his wife, Carol.