Hillard Elkins

Hillard (Hilly) Elkins (born October 18, 1929) is an American theatre and film producer. Born in New York City, Elkins attended Erasmus Hall and Midwood High Schools and Brooklyn College. At the age of eighteen he already had his degree and was studying law while working in the mail room at the William Morris Agency, quickly moving up the ranks to agent and then head of the theatrical department. After serving in the Korean War by making training... more

Hillard (Hilly) Elkins (born October 18, 1929) is an American theatre and film producer. Born in New York City, Elkins attended Erasmus Hall and Midwood High Schools and Brooklyn College. At the age of eighteen he already had his degree and was studying law while working in the mail room at the William Morris Agency, quickly moving up the ranks to agent and then head of the theatrical department. After serving in the Korean War by making training films in Manhattan, he returned to agency work, but soon left to open his own management company, where he represented James Coburn, Robert Culp, Steve McQueen, Mel Brooks, Herbert Ross, Charles Strouse, and Lee Adams. Elkins turned to Broadway theatre producing in 1962 with the Garson Kanin play Come on Strong. The following year, he saw former client Sammy Davis, Jr. performing at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, and approached him about starring in a musical version of Clifford Odets' Golden Boy. When Davis expressed interest, Elkins... less