Marvin J. Levy

Los Angeles, CA — Marvin Levy, the renowned marketing and communications executive and longtime publicist for Steven Spielberg, died April 7th, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 96. 

Over a 70-year career, Levy established himself as one of the most influential and respected public relations executives in film, helping shape the industry and deliver its work to audiences around the globe. In 2018, he became the first and only marketing or PR professional to win an Honorary Academy Award®. Beyond his lifelong impact on film, Levy is widely recognized for the character he displayed throughout his career, marked by kindness, modesty, and consummate professionalism.

Spielberg said:

"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. 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. 

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. 

I am grateful for all our years together.  Marvin never failed to make me laugh, he never stopped smiling. We will miss you Marvin. You will always be in our hearts and your memory will always make us smile.

Levy was born in New York City on November 16, 1928, to Max R. and Edna Levy. After attending NYU, where he was part of the ROTC program, he got his start in communications during two years of Air Force service, handling advertising and public relations out of Michigan’s Selfridge Air Force Base.

Levy began his entertainment career in the late 1940s, first working on game shows with Robert G. Jennings and then as a writer and assistant producer for talk show pioneers Tex and Jinx McCrary. He next held roles at MGM’s New York publicity office, followed by major film PR agency Blowitz Thomas and Canton, and later Cinerama Releasing, which brought him to California.

It was during his time as Columbia Pictures’ VP of Advertising, Publicity, & Promotion that Levy became connected to Spielberg, with whom he worked on the 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The pair formed a professional and personal bond that would last nearly half a century, with Levy soon leaving Columbia to work exclusively alongside Spielberg, first at Amblin Entertainment and later at DreamWorks Studios.

Spielberg credits Levy as largely responsible for the success of the films he worked on throughout the decades. Levy led promotional and awards campaigns for numerous of Spielberg’s own directorial works, including E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, The Color Purple, Lincoln, and Bridge of Spies. Other influential films Levy worked on include Back to the Future and its sequels, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Gigi, Ben-Hur, Taxi Driver, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie's Choice, Men in Black, Deep Impact, Shrek, and Gladiator. 

Levy retired in 2024, when he was 95. In addition to an Academy Award, his career recognitions include the publicists’ guild’s highest honor, the Les Mason Award, which he won in 1994. He served on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for 23 years, spending much of that time as Chairman of the Public Relations Branch. He was an avid supporter of the Shoah Foundation, Righteous Persons Foundation, and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Carol, their two sons, Don and Doug, Don’s wife Sue Levy, and grandsons Brian and Daniel. He was preceded in death by his sister Jane.

The funeral was held at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills on Friday, April 11th. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Feeding America or Canine Companions.