‘The Black Godfather’ Clarence Avant Dead at 92
He is the man behind some of the most powerful names you know. Clarence Avant has advised American presidents, beginning with George H.W. Bush, helped bring Black music into the mainstream, and likely advised or mentored your favorite artist’s favorite artist. One might even call him the original influencer. Inside Edition Digital’s Stephanie Officer has the details on the life of the silent powerhouse. #entertainmentnews #entertainment #ClarenceAvant
There's the power that needs the spotlight,
but there's also the power behind the scenes.
You guys rock in every way.
Music executive Clarence Avant,
the black godfather, has died.
Remember the first time someone ever said
you're the godfather?
Well, people call me that.
People can call me anything.
People have called me a son of a b****.
Sometimes I say to myself,
how in the f*** did I get involved in all this?
As an exec in Hollywood, Avant helped create
the first joint venture between a black-owned music company
and a major record label.
He branched out across industries,
politics, civil rights, music, film, and sports.
His goal?
To uplift the black community.
Clarence is the bridge from a time
where there was no opportunity
to a time where doors began to open.
Avant advised presidents and mentored the artists
and producers whose songs you love.
Everyone from Michael to Janet to Whitney, Diddy,
Queen Latifah, even Jamie Foxx.
Avant was married to his wife, Jacqueline, for 54 years.
In 2021, she was killed during an invasion
at their Beverly Hills home.
Clarence is survived by his son, Alex, a producer,
daughter, Nicole, a former U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas,
and son-in-law, Ted Sarandos, the CEO of Netflix.
Clarence Avant was 92 years old.