MICHAEL “OPPIE” OPPENHEIM,
1960-2023

Michael Oppenheim, one of the most respected business managers in the music sector and a longtime friend of ours, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, 4/18, at the age of 62.

A partner at NKSFBGO, Oppie—as he was known to friends and associates—spent nearly four decades in business management, serving clients including Eminem, Beyoncé, Slipknot, Steve Aoki, Taking Back Sunday, Linkin Park, Korn, Guns N’ Roses, Snoop Dogg and Smashing Pumpkins. He also handled the affairs of labels, producers, writers, actors and high-net-worth individuals. He was recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s top business managers by The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Billboard.

Oppie attended the State University of Buffalo, where he received an undergraduate degree in accounting. After getting into business management, he spent 30 years working closely with Bernie Gudvi, his friend and business partner.

He and his family brought the same energy and entrepreneurial spirit that he put into his work to his philanthropic pursuits. He served on the board of several charitable foundations and supported the charitable endeavors of his clients.

A big sports fan with a particular passion for the New York Giants, Knicks and Yankees, Oppie also got a kick out of golfing and playing poker in online card rooms—frequently alongside HITS’ Marc Pollack, a close friend (they’re pictured at left during the Big3 championship game in 2017)—and the Havana Club.

He’s survived by wife Tanya and daughter Sydney.

Oppie was one of the very best people in the business, a behind-the-scenes player to many of the top artists and managers, a guy who enjoyed a grilled kosher hot dog and the chicken parmigiana at Dan Tana’s and always insisted on picking up the dinner check. Most of all, he was a great family man whose life and work were defined by his big-hearted humanity. We’ll miss him terribly.