In Memoriam: Jim Baldassare

It is with sadness that ATPAM announces the death on March 19, 2025 of Gold Card Press Agent Jim Baldassare in San Francisco. Jim was 78 years old and joined ATPAM in 1984 as an apprentice to the late Howard Atlee.

I would like to share with you an In Memoriam tribute written by three of his very close friends, Rosemary Cunningham, ATPAM Manager and Former ATPAM Secretary-Treasurer, Gordon Forbes and ATPAM Press Agent Sandra Manley.

Jim was born in Brooklyn and his theatrical career began in Manhattan after graduation from SUNY Geneseo when he worked as the press representative for the Mercer Arts Center off-Broadway. His work off-Broadway continued over the years with, among others, representation of LaMama Theatre company and the Off-Broadway revival of Godspell at the Lambs Theatre.

His work on Broadway included numerous productions including a string of hits as an associate to Bill Evans working in-house for producer Emanuel Azenberg, including Whose Life Is It Anyway?, Children of a Lesser God, I Ought to Be in Pictures, Brighton Beach Memoirs, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Hay Fever, and Safe Sex by Harvey Fierstein. Jim was especially fond of serving as Press Representative for the Royal Shakespeare Production of Carrie starring Betty Buckley and, later that season, served as press rep for the Nederlander production of Kenny Loggins on Broadway as well as Mandy Patinkin on Broadway. A major highlight of his career was serving as one of the Producers of the MCC production of Frozen at the Circle in the Square in 2004. The production starred his good friend Swoosie Kurtz.

Before moving to California in 2014, Jim enjoyed representing an array of cabaret performers in Manhattan and creating warm friendships with many of them. An avid moviegoer in both NYC and later in California, Jim also became a creative photographer, returning to New York over the years to create a collection of shots of theatre marquees. Always an active member of ATPAM, Jim served as Press Agent Chapter President for several years.

By Rosemary Cunningham: More than 50 years ago my sister and I worked with Jim Off-Broadway at the Eastside Playhouse. He was the House Manager, she was an Usher and I was the House Electrician. Not long after meeting him we discovered that he was moving to the Westside. So were we. What a surprise when we discovered we were moving right across the street from each other! My sister and I eventually left the business, but luckily our connection with our friend Jimbo endured. In fact, he had many long-term friendships, including that with his college roommate. Jim was a lover of animals, especially his cats, tropical fish, dog, and most recently his beloved kitty, Lucky. A lifelong theater and movie enthusiast, he also enjoyed a wide range of music. He was an adept player of word games, particularly Wordle and Scrabble. Always a baseball fan, Jim adopted the Giants after moving to San Francisco. In addition to being a wonderful friend, his many accomplishments include being a gifted photographer (his photos can be seen on his Facebook page "Jim Baldassare Photography”), theatrical press agent, Tony voter, and a member of the National Board of Review for Films. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor which we'll never forget. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

By Gordon Forbes: Jim and I met while working at the Mercer Arts Center during the epic run of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. We became close friends and occasionally worked together over the years. Jim visited us every summer for many years and we had a standing date to attend the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Jim loved the track and loved betting on horses, especially any that had “cat” in the name. He was a dedicated cat dad. While serving as Press Agent Chapter chair, Jim organized “ATPAM Day” at Belmont Park and the Union’s logo appeared on the Jumbotron at the track while the contingent of ATPAM members enjoyed our day there. I’ve never had a better friend. Jim was always there for me, in sickness and in health.

By Sandy Manley: Jim and I were longtime friends in ATPAM. In fact, I’ve known him so long I can’t even remember how we first met. But the best times we had together as press agents were when we were both associates of Bill Evans working in Manny Azenberg’s production office. We had fun conspiring to give slightly less good press seats to the media people who had been rude or otherwise great pains and frequently were delighted to reward some nice but lesser reviewers with better seats than they’d expected. When promoting Hurly Burly we were both intimidated by necessary working sessions with a terrifying Harvey Keitel. Jim never let me forget on that same show that I ace’d him out of any backstage visits to Candice Bergen whenever I could get away with it. After we moved on from Manny’s office Jim, who became a terrific photographer, loved taking shots of Broadway marquees—even after he moved to California. We met often for dinners in Manhattan when he was in town. Jim was unique and a special friend. I loved him and will hold him in my heart forever.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the ASPCA or Humane World for Animals to honor his lifelong love of cats.

May Jim’s memory be a blessing.