Helen Kushnick

Helen Kushnick (née Gorman; August 18, 1945 – August 28, 1996) was the talent agent of comedians Jimmie Walker, Elayne Boosler, and Jay Leno for much of her early career. Leno had been performing stand-up comedy in a variety of venues when she found him, and afterwards, Kushnick was with him all the way to his role hosting The Tonight Show.

Her strong-arm tactics in her role as executive producer of the Tonight Show created a great deal of conflict with NBC. For example, she reportedly banned stars from appearing on the program if they appeared on any other talk show. These practices led to her dismissal only four months into her tenure in that position.Kushnick died of breast cancer in Los Angeles on August 28, 1996, aged 51.