Johnnie Planco, Former WMA Agent and Co-Founder of Parseghian Planco, Dies at 68

During his time at WMA, Planco became the youngest department head and senior vice president

Kieran Culkin, Emily Gerson Saines, Johnnie Planco
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Johnnie Planco, a former New York-based William Morris Agency (WMA) agent and co-founder of management/production company Parseghian Planco, has died. He was 68.

Planco passed away on Sunday in New York City after suffering from an infection that his brain and respiratory system.

Planco joined the WMA mailroom after he graduated from Fordham University at Lincoln Center in 1972, and he stayed at the agency until 2000. During his tenure at WMA, he became the youngest department head and senior vice president, running both the motion picture department in New York and creating the William Morris Talent Department. In his career, he represented talent like Tom Hanks, Richard Gere, Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Lauren Bacall and John Malkovich, among many others.

In 2000, he partnered with Gene Parseghian to create Parseghian Planco, which has represented talent like Daniel-Day Lewis, Paul Schrader and Judi Dench. In 2002, Parseghian Planco merged with the LA-based Untitled Entertainment, which added Naomi Watts, Penelope Cruz and Ashton Kutcher to Parseghian Planco’s talent roster.

The production company also produced “Perfume,” starring Peter Gallagher and Jeff Goldblum, as well as Paul Schrader’s “The Walker” starring Woody Harrelson. Parseghian passed away in 2017.

Additionally, Planco was a member of the Board of Advisors of Fordham University at Lincoln Center, and the President Emeritus of The Players Club in New York City.

The New York City native is survived by his wife Lois, his son Alfred, his daughter-in-law Tiffany and his daughter Sara.

Deadline first reported the news of Planco’s death.

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