It is with great sadness that I deliver this news. My mother passed away on Friday afternoon, December 16, nine days after a massive stroke. My dad and I were with her throughout those final days. My brother got to visit her from New York while she was still conscious and he is back with us now.
Hindi Brooks (Kleinmuntz) was the most prolific writer I have ever personally known. (She currently has two plays running in Europe.) She was an early feminist, breaking ground for many women who followed, especially women television writers. She was an incredible role model for me. We grew closer and closer through the years, relating not only as mother and daughter, but as as dear friends and as writers who had tremendous respect for each other.
She and my dad were married 60 years, in love the entire time, true soul mates.
Services were held December 19, at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.
Nomi Isak, Writing Coach 
Dear Nomi,
We have never met, but, happily, I met your mother several times at the industry networking lunches organized by Rona Edwards and Mae Woods several years ago, and was an admirer of her work. Hindi was a strong, smart, funny, insightful and wonderfully creative presence. Even though our contact was relatively brief and sporadic, she was always genuinely accessible and supportive of any creative efforts that I shared with her. Hers is a legacy of hope and strength, and I feel lucky to have known her.
My best regards to you.
Mary Proteau
Thank you (a bit belatedly) for this post, Mary. Just reviewing old posts and saw this.
All the love from the Kleinmuntz family in Illinois
Love OJ Lorri , Eric, Ira, Leslie, Robert, Michael, Sam , Don, Catherine and Dalia
Your wonderful vignettes and remembrances of your mother, would have stirred her to tears, and have done so for me. Thank you for sharing your marvelous gift.
Judi Rawie-Rook
Thank you, Judi.
Interesting that you commented on this today; my mom visited me in a dream last night (first time in a long time).
I guess she’s really hanging out with us today!
Hi,
My name is Hilly Hicks. I am a 64 year old African American man living in San Bernardino, CA. Born and raised in Los Angeles, I attended Jefferson High School where my drama teacher was none other than Max Kleinmuntz.
Mr. Kleinmuntz introduced me to your mother Hindi Brooks at some point along the way, and I ended up appearing in a pair of Hindi Brooks plays staged at the Fountain Theater in Hollywood. I’ve been thinking recently about one of those plays “You Be the Daddy” a deeply meaningful play that speaks volumes to me and to my life even now.
After high school I began an acting career in Hollywood that lasted 17 years. I did dozens of TV shows and a hand full of movies. The highlight was a CBS TV series called “ROLL OUT!” and a role in “ROOTS.” I left Hollywood in 1986 to work for the United Methodist Church, as a Video producer and Cable TV host. Now, I am a Pastor of two local churches in San Bernardino.
I owe a great deal of who I am and what I have been able to do in life, to your parents. Mr. Kleinmuntz made it possible for me to meet and work with your brilliantly talented mother, and for me, that was the start of so many wonderful experiences in “the business.” In our high school drama department Mr. Kleinmuntz cast me in wonderful roles and freed me to develop my talent in amazing ways. I could tell that he believed in me, and that made such a difference in the way that I approached everything from that point on. Mr. Kleinmuntz was truly one of the most important teachers I’ve ever had. And he had a huge impact on my life. Unfortunately, I never really had the chance to say “thank you” to him.
I woke up this morning thinking about “You Be the Daddy.” And I wondered if I could find any info on-line about Mr & Mrs Kleinmuntz. It was the first time I’d thought to check. That’s when I found your page and, sadly, the information on Hindi’s passing three years ago. My deepest condolences to you and your family. And if I may impose, please tell your dad that a grateful student from many, many years ago says hello…and “thank you!”
Hilly, I am reading your comment through the blur of tears flooding my eyes. Thank you so much for this. Not only will I say thank you to my dad for you, but I will show him this post from you. Better yet . . . maybe we can arrange a visit. My dad is still sharp at 91!
Interesting that my dad and I were talking (at his home in Santa Monica) about that very production at the Fountain Theater just last night! He has talked about you numerous times over the years (he was very proud of your work). And, in fact, I remember you as well, along with that production of You Be the Daddy. We kids were asked for our feedback of that play while it was in its first(?) production.
Thank you again for seeking out info on my folks and posting a comment here. If you’d like to connect, please see my Contact page, and I’ll put you in touch with my dad. I’m sure he’d love to hear from you!