Who Was Marvin Levy? Life and Legacy of Oscar-Winning Publicist Behind Steven Spielberg’s Blockbusters Amid his Death at 96

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Trigger warning: This article contains mention of death. 

96-year-old Marvin Levy, a well-known publicist for Steven Spielberg for many years, passed away on Monday, April 7th. In 2018, he was honored with an Oscar. Following his death, the director of Jurassic Park, Mr. Spielberg, expressed his sorrow over losing such a dear friend in a statement released to The Hollywood Reporter.

Marvin’s death is a significant sorrow for me and the entire industry. While there are numerous skilled PR professionals, Marvin stood out uniquely,” Spielberg stated. Reflecting on Levy, the renowned director recalled him as an unwaveringly loyal and exceptional collaborator for more than five decades.

1) Everyone who knew him admired and valued the late publicist deeply. As for managing the media, there was simply no one better at it, he remarked. Moreover, he acknowledged that much of his film success can be attributed to Levy’s contributions. Indeed, Levy orchestrated successful promotional and awards campaigns for numerous films directed by Spielberg.

Among them are films like E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, The Color Purple, Lincoln, and Bridge of Spies. Levy has also contributed to projects such as Back to the Future and its sequels, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Taxi Driver, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, Men in Black, Deep Impact, Shrek, and Gladiator.

In this version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easier to read.

It was disclosed that Spielberg and Levy each played crucial roles in different aspects of film production, collectively driving the success of numerous productions. Through his involvement in various films, television shows, Amblin ventures, award campaigns, and PR strategies, Levy earned a legendary status.

The sole recipient of an Academy Award in the field of publicity was thrilled to devise innovative methods for showcasing movies to viewers. Upon his demise, ex-AMPAS president Sid Ganis issued a statement to Deadline, expressing his grief over the loss.

In regards to intricate movie marketing, there simply hasn’t been anyone as skilled as Marvin, neither in the past nor present,” he asserted. Moreover, he was not only exceptional at his profession but also exceptionally kind and enjoyable to interact with.

Levy leaves behind his longtime spouse, Carol, who shared 73 years together; their two sons, Donald and Douglas; as well as his two grandchildren, Brian and Daniel.

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2025-04-09 16:38