Helen Kushnick

Helen Gorman's first job in Los Angeles was with the talent agency ICM in the early 1970s where she met her future husband Jerrold Kushnick, then manager of Jimmie Walker ("Good Times") and Ben Vereen, among others. Helen left ICM to join Jerrold in forming General Management Corporation. Under their management, they guided the career of Jay Leno (a struggling stand-up comic in the beginning), and numerous other producers, comics, writers, and comic-writers: (April Kelly, George Geiger, Wayne Kline, Gene Wojohowski, Jim Belushi). While Jerry guided Jimmie Walker's career, it was Jay to whom Helen was most devoted, booking him in every college tour, stand-up club, and Vegas opening that would have him.

In 1979 Jay had his first national TV show with HBO, following that, in 1985, his first NBC special: "Jay Leno and the American Dream". She was instrumental in forming the now-famous "who-will-replace-Carson" feud, pitting Leno vs Letterman for the coveted spot. Not an easy person to work with, she often came to blows with agents, networks, and local haunchos (i. e. Mitzi Shore of the Comedy Store) reinforcing her reputation as the show-biz version of Leona Helmsley. Her clients however, caught in middle of countless useless pissing contests, began to jump ship, Leno being the last to leave.

The couple had twins, Samuel Jared and Sara Rose, on August 19, 1980. Samuel became infected with the virus that causes AIDS during a blood transfusion and died at age 3 in 1983. Ms. Kushnick became a campaigner in the fight against the disease.

Refused to be interviewed by NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw unless the network canceled coverage of the 1992 Republican Convention. When the Convention went overlong with Ronald Reagan's speech, she cancelled the live show, forcing NBC to run a previously aired, taped show.

Is portrayed by Kathy Bates in The Late Shift (1996)