Marvin Levy dies at 96
Marvin Levy, the person behind a few of Hollywood’s most iconic movie rollouts—and the longtime publicist and adviser to Steven Spielberg—has handed away.
He died on April 7 on the age of 96, forsaking a legacy that not solely formed how films had been marketed but in addition how they had been remembered.
Levy wasn’t only a PR man; he was a legend in his personal proper—the one publicist ever to obtain an Honorary Academy Award.
That’s proper, whereas most of us try to determine the distinction between a press launch and a purple carpet rundown, Levy was out right here actually rewriting the principles of movie publicity.
Spielberg, who labored facet by facet with Levy for over 5 many years, shared a heartfelt tribute that completely captured the essence of his buddy and colleague.
“Marvin’s passing is a huge loss for me and our industry writ large. There are many talented PR executives, but Marvin was one of a kind,” Spielberg stated.
“For over 50 years, he was a deeply loyal and exceptional collaborator who was respected and appreciated by all those who were lucky enough to learn from his counsel. When it came to handling the press, he had no peer. To the media and the world of exhibition, Marvin was the face of Amblin.”
And Spielberg didn’t cease there—he painted a vivid image of a person who thrived within the organized chaos of publicity. “
We were opposite ends of the movie-making process. Every time I reached the end of production on a film, Marvin’s work had only begun. Through countless films, TV series, Amblin events, awards campaigns and our public relations strategy—this is where Marvin came alive. He loved his work and was endlessly enthusiastic about our business.
He was creative, innovative and respected for his knowledge and honesty. He was excited to figure out new and better ways to present films to audiences. As a result, he was the first and only publicist to receive an Academy Award.”
Levy’s résumé is, frankly, the stuff of film advertising goals. Other than Spielberg’s classics like E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler’s Record, and Lincoln, Levy additionally helped form campaigns for Again to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Gigi, Ben-Hur, Taxi Driver, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Alternative, Males in Black, Deep Affect, Shrek, and Gladiator.
Marvin Levy didn’t simply assist movies discover their viewers—he helped the world fall in love with films, one unforgettable marketing campaign at a time. And for that, Hollywood suggestions its hat to a real behind-the-scenes star.
