Hollywood has lost a key figure with the passing of Marvin Levy on April 7 at the age of 96. Renowned for his exceptional talents as a publicist, Levy was affectionately dubbed the “Spielberg Whisperer” due to his deep-seated professional relationship with filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

A Longstanding Partnership

Levy’s collaboration with Spielberg began when both were emerging talents within the industry. Spielberg had just experienced monumental success with the film Jaws, while Levy was actively involved in promoting notable projects like Taxi Driver, The Deep, and Kramer vs. Kramer, the latter of which secured five Academy Awards in 1980.

Recognizing Levy’s unique insights and capabilities, Spielberg invited him to join Amblin Entertainment, marking the start of a partnership that would last nearly 50 years. The two shared a bond of trust and mutual respect, relying on each other as invaluable advisors throughout their extensive collaboration.

Spielberg’s Tribute

Following Levy’s passing, Spielberg shared a heartfelt statement with The Hollywood Reporter highlighting the significance of Levy’s contributions to both his career and the broader film industry. Spielberg’s tribute emphasized Levy’s unmatched skills in public relations:

“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.” — Steven Spielberg

Spielberg went on to praise Levy’s enthusiasm and innovative spirit, noting, “He was excited to figure [out] new and better ways to present films to audiences.” His inventive approach earned him a unique distinction in the history of the Academy Awards.

A Unique Honor

In 2018, Levy received an Honorary Oscar, a historic recognition for a publicist, rendering him the first and only individual in this field to achieve such an accolade. Reflecting on this achievement, Levy described it as unexpected and surreal, stating:

“It was way out of left field for me. I couldn’t have imagined it. It’s not like I could say ‘Gee, I’d love to get that one day.’ It was not on my to-do list.” — Marvin Levy

Legacy and Family

Marvin Levy is survived by his wife, Carol, their sons Don and Doug, and their grandsons, Brian and Daniel. His legacy as a dedicated publicist and collaborator sends ripples through the film industry, reminding many of the pivotal role behind-the-scenes professionals play in shaping cinematic success.