Josh Roth, Head of UTA's Fine Arts Division, Dies at 40

Josh Roth, the head and founder of United Talent Agency’s Fine Arts division, has died, the agency said in a statement on Monday. He was 40 years old.

The exact date and nature of his death was not immediately disclosed.

Roth founded UTA Fine Arts in 2015 after six years as chair of the Art Law Department at the law firm of Glaser Weil. At UTA, he represented some of the world’s most prominent fine artists, photographers, mixed media artists and others in the contemporary art world. Most recently, Roth helped conceive and open the UTA Artist Space and staged major projects and exhibitions for world-renowned artists.

Also Read: Peter Donat, Mulder's Father on 'X-Files,' Dies at 90

Roth was a recognized and passionate expert, advocate, and patron of the arts, and one of the creative community’s most talented professionals.

UTA confirmed Roth’s death on Monday on behalf of his family.

“Josh was a dear man and a great colleague, and we are devastated by his loss. His friendships and contributions were deeply felt,” UTA Chairman Jim Berkus and CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement. “He constantly inspired his colleagues and those he represented with his impeccable taste, thoughtfulness, creativity, and absolute dedication. Most importantly, Josh was a wonderful man–devoted to his family, kind in spirit, and generous in every way. UTA is heartbroken.”

Also Read: Thad Mumford, Emmy-Winning 'M*A*S*H' Writer and Producer, Dies at 67

Details regarding memorial services have not yet been announced.

Roth is survived by his wife, Sonya, and their children Anabel, Colette, and Henry.

27 Club: Stars Who Died at Age 27, From Jimi Hendrix to Amy Winehouse (Photos)

Artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Amy Winehouse all died before they reached 28.
Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911 - August 16, 1938)

The American blues legend made the Mississippi Delta style famous, but his premature death near Greenwood, Mississippi, remains as mysterious as much of his short life.
Rudy Lewis (August 23, 1936 – May 20, 1964)

The R&B singer for the Drifters sang lead on such hits as "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway." He was found dead in a Harlem hotel room of a suspected drug overdose.
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Brian Jones (February 28, 1942 – July 3, 1969)

The founder and original leader of the Rolling Stones drowned in the swimming pool of his home in East Sussex, England.
Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970)

The rock guitarist died in London of asphyxiation while intoxicated on barbituates.
Janis Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970)

The blues singer died of a heroin overdose at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood.
Jim Morrison (December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971)

The singer, songwriter and frontman for The Doors was found in the bathtub of a Paris apartment, apparently from an accidental heroin overdose.
Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973)

A founding member of the Grateful Dead, McKiernan died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage at his home in Corte Madera, California.
Jean-Michel Basquiat (December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988)

The American graphic artist famous for graffiti-inspired paintings died of a heroin overdose in his Manhattan studio.
Reggie Lewis (November 21, 1965 – July 27, 1993)

A small forward for the Boston Celtics, he suffered a sudden heart attack on the court at an off-season practice.
Getty Images
Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994)

The singer-songwriter and frontman for the grunge band Nirvana died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.
Getty Images
Richey James Edwards (December 1967, - February 1, 1995)

The Welsh guitarist and lyricist for the Manic Street Preachers missed a flight for a U.S. promotional tour on February 1, 1995 and he functionally disappeared near the Wales-England border soon after that. In 2008, he was declared "presumed dead."
Jonathan Brandis (April 13, 1976 – November 12, 2003)

A child actor best known for the NBC sci-fi series "SeaQuest DSV" committed suicide in his L.A. apartment building.
Pat Tillman (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004)

The star safety for the Arizona Cardinals who left the NFL after 9/11 to enlist in the U.S. Army. He died in Afghanistan in a case of friendly fire in the midst of a firefight.
Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983 - July 23, 2011)

The British R&B and soul singer, who had long battled an addiction to drugs and alcohol, died of alcohol poisoning at her London home.

Also Read: Singer Amy Winehouse Found Dead at Her London Flat
Getty Images
Anton Yelchin (March 11, 1989 – June 19, 2016)

The actor best known for playing Pavel Chekov in the big-screen "Star Trek" reboots, died in a car accident at his L.A. home.

Also Read: Actor Anton Yelchin Dead at 27
Getty Images
Fredo Santana (July 4, 1990 — January 19, 2018)

The Chicago rapper (né Derrick Coleman) who rose to fame with his cousin Chief Keef died on in 2018. No cause of death was immediately revealed, but Santana was hospitalized three months before with kidney and liver failure.

Also Read: Fredo Santana, Chicago-Based Rapper, Dies at 27
Tyler Skaggs (July 13, 1991 - July 1, 2019)

The professional pitcher, who debuted with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 and later played for the Los Angeles Angels, was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas, in July 2019. No foul play was suspected, authorities said.
Getty Images