Richard Perry dead at 82: Jane Fonda’s record producer ex behind You’re So Vain dies of cardiac arrest

Famed music producer Richard Perry, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane Fonda, has passed away at the age of 82.

The visionary behind Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain and Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook died of cardiac arrest, his friend Daphna Kastner confirmed to the AP.

“He maximized his time here,” Kastner said, describing Perry as a “color” and godfather to his son. ‘He was generous, funny, sweet and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweet without him here. But it’s a little bit sweeter in heaven.’

Ben McCarthy, Perry’s personal assistant for nearly 30 years, shared TMZ that the producer had been battling Parkinson’s disease.

McCarthy said he visited Perry about a month ago and noted that although Perry could no longer communicate verbally, he remained in good spirits.

During the 1970s, Perry worked with a number of legendary artists, including Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr, cementing his legacy as one of the most sought-after producers of his time.

Famed music producer Richard Perry, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane Fonda, has passed away at the age of 82; (Fonda/Perry in 2015)

The visionary behind Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain and Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook died of cardiac arrest, as his friend Daphna Kastner confirmed to the AP; (seen in 1982)

In 2017, Perry and Fonda parted ways, with Perry saying in a statement: ‘We continue to maintain a close friendship and care deeply for each other.’

He added at the time: ‘Jane has rededicated herself to activism and I’m finishing my memoirs. So all is well with the Fonda-Perry relationship. We have just started a new chapter.’

A versatile musician turned legendary producer, Perry mastered a variety of genres and scored number one hits across the pop, R&B, dance and country charts.

Widely considered a musician’s producer, Perry collaborated with artists such as Harry Nilsson on Without You, The Pointer Sisters on I’m So Excited, and Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias on To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.

He was known for helping Barbra Streisand modernize her sound, reviving careers like Fats Domino’s, and elevating rising stars like Leo Sayer.

Perry was an accomplished drummer and oboist, born in New York to musical parents who co-founded Peripole Music.

Early in his career he joined the doo-wop group Escorts and later studied music and theater at the University of Michigan before moving into production.

Along with Gary Katz, who later worked with Steely Dan, Perry began producing in the 1960s and quickly rose to prominence with projects such as Captain Beefheart’s Safe As Milk and Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella, which featured covers of songs by the Beatles and Smokey Robinson.

By the 1970s, Perry had established her legacy with million-selling albums such as Barbra Streisand’s Stoney End, which guided her transition into modern pop and rock.

During the 1970s, Perry worked with a number of legendary artists, including Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr, cementing his legacy as one of the most sought-after producers of his era; (seen in 2016)

In 2017, Perry and Fonda parted ways, with Perry saying in a statement: ‘We continue to maintain a close friendship and care deeply for each other’

Streisand recalled their collaboration as creatively and musically liberating, noting his enthusiasm and vision.

Beyond music, Perry’s life was filled with connections to cultural milestones and iconic figures.

He dated Elizabeth Taylor and Fonda, attended landmark events like Otis Redding’s Monterey Pop Festival performance, and mingled with music legends like Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger.

Rod Stewart described Perry’s West Hollywood home as a hub for celebratory dinners.

Although Perry originally dreamed of a Broadway career, his decision to focus on producing transformed him into an industry giant whose influence spanned decades and genres.