Jerrold Perenchio, Ali-Frazier and 'Battle Of The Sexes' Promoter, Dead At 86

BEL-AIR (CNS) - Jerrold Perenchio, an ex-Univision Communications Chairman and CEO and the mastermind behind some of history's most legendary sporting events has died.

Perenchio died Tuesday at his home in Bel-Air at age 86 after a five-month battle with lung cancer, a family representative told the Los Angeles Times. In addition to his work in film, Perenchio was a famous promoter responsible for the Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier match in 1971 and the Battle of the Sexes tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, according to the Times.

Perenchio lived in the mansion used in the 1962-71 CBS comedy, "The Beverly Hillbillies."

Before the one-time talent agent acquired Univision, Perenchio was a co- owner of Avco Embassy Picture Corp. Bought for $25 million in 1981, Avco was sold four years later for $485 million, and Univision, purchased for $550 million in 1992, was sold in 2007 for $12.3 billion.

Perenchio worked with Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin at Tandem Productions, which produced shows such as "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son," along with the film "Blade Runner." Perenchio later produced the films "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Frida."

He was also a noted art collector. In 2014, Perenchio announced plans to bequeath a major portion of his extensive art collection to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art -- the largest-ever art donation to the museum.

The donation includes masterpieces by Bonnard, Degas, Picasso, Manet, Monet and Picasso.

Funeral services are expected to be private, but donations in his name can be made to LACMA, The Times reported.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; children John, Catherine and Candace; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Victorious2016 via Wikimedia Commons