Why did Marvin Levy receive honorary Oscar? All about Steven Spielberg’s publicist as he dies at 96

Marvin Levy, director Steven Spielberg’s trusted collaborator, advisor and publicist, passed away on April 7, reported Deadline. The PR whiz was 96 years old.

Levy, who received an honorary Oscar in 2018 for his service to the film industry, had been a longtime PR professional in Hollywood. Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter noted at the time that the Academy’s recognition of a PR specialist by honoring Levy was significant, as Hollywood was finally honoring the building block of the film industry — PR and marketing specialists who taught people to love films with the aid of meticulously strategized campaigns.

Levy, while accepting his honorary Oscar in 2018, recognized the debt that Hollywood has to PR strategists. He said at the time,

“I find it hard to believe this is actually happening. This Oscar has been the most surprising and exciting award I can imagine…this is the first time the Academy has considered one of us for this award so that makes it the most humbling honor too. It certainly makes me think of all the mentors and bosses who have inspired me along the way, the head of marketing at MGM, Howard Dietz, who wrote lyrics for Broadway and film musicals on MGM letterhead, a Lyricist and a publicist, imagine that.”

According to Deadline, in a statement released after Marvin Levy’s death, Spielberg paid tribute to his longtime associate, writing:

“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. 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.”

Spielberg continued:

"He was excited to figure how new and better ways to present films to audiences. As a result, he was the first and only publicist to receive an Academy Award."

About Marvin Levy’s career as a publicist

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvin Levy got his start in the entertainment business while working for Tex and Jinx, who pioneered the talk-show format in television. Levy later started working at the New York office of MGM’s advertising and publicity division, and worked on Best Picture Oscar-winning films such as Gigi and Ben-Hur.

After a stint with another film PR firm, Levy bagged a position at Columbia Pictures, as per Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter, who noted that Levy worked on the campaigns of iconic films like Taxi Driver and Kramer vs. Kramer.

Levy worked with Spielberg on the campaign for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, after which, he would start working exclusively with Spielberg under his banner Amblin Entertainment, and later, DreamWorks, according to Variety.

According to Associated Press, Levy spoke of his work on Close Encounters of the Third Kind, describing the start of his professional relationship with Spielberg, saying:

“That started it, and here we are 41 years later. He’s been such a tremendous part of my life.”

Trending

Over the course of the duo’s decades long collaboration, Marvin Levy would work on the campaigns for Spielberg’s E.T., The Color Purple, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List. As per the news outlet, Levy also worked on other DreamWorks films such as American Beauty and A Beautiful Mind.

According to Deadline, Marvin Levy retired in 2024.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback