Steven Spielberg’s Longtime Publicist Marvin Levy Retires (Exclusive)

As a dedicated gamer and longtime follower of the entertainment industry, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and admiration upon hearing the news of Marvin Levy’s retirement. With a career spanning over six decades, Marvin has left an indelible mark on Hollywood, particularly in the realm of marketing and publicity.

Marvin Levy, who has been working for Steven Spielberg since 1977, is retiring after a long career in marketing and publicity at Amblin Partners. The news was shared with staff in an email from Spielberg on Monday and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, which referred to it as the end of an era.)

In the 1950s, Levy started his professional journey. Later in 1977, he joined Columbia Pictures where Steven Spielberg produced “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” A strong bond was formed between them, and not long after, Levy departed from the studio to work closely with Spielberg as his advisor on various projects. Together they orchestrated the marketing and award campaigns for numerous films like “E.T.”, “The Color Purple”, “Schindler’s List”, “Saving Private Ryan”, “Munich” and “Bridge of Spies”.

Admired and held in great esteem within his profession, Levy spent numerous years serving on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ governing body. In 2018, this prestigious organization chose to recognize him with an honorary Oscar – a first for a marketing or publicity specialist.

The next year, I had the exciting opportunity to step into the senior advisor role for Spielberg and Amblin, with Dan Berger taking over as executive vice president and head of communications. However, Berger eventually moved on from the company, and Terry Press was then brought in as president of strategy and communications.

I had the pleasure of coming across a remarkable story about a man named Levy, who has been described by none other than Steven Spielberg as a “true mensch” and someone to whom he owes a “huge debt of gratitude.” At 95 years young, Levy’s life is filled with rich experiences and cherished memories. He once joked that his wife Carol, his partner in life for an astounding 72 years, married him “for better or worse, not for lunch.” Their bond is a testament to the power of love and commitment.

The full text of Spielberg’s Monday letter to Amblin employees appears below.

Team Amblin,

I’m thrilled to share that this week marks a significant milestone in the Amblin family as our beloved colleague, friend, and PR guru, Marvin J. Levy, has decided to retire. At an impressive 95 years young, he will be leaving us effective July 31st. It’s bittersweet to see him go, but we respect his decision and are grateful for the wisdom, experience, and dedication he’s brought to our team throughout the years.

Marvin has been an indispensable part of both my personal and professional journey for more than four decades. Not only has he been a valued team member at our company for over 40 years, but he is also a pioneer in the marketing and publicity industry with a career spanning even longer. His extensive expertise in publicity and marketing, combined with his loyalty, benevolence, compassion, and dedication to teaching and mentoring, are just some of his remarkable qualities. Marvin’s reputation precedes him as a respected figure in marketing, publicity, and awards circles. He served on the board of AMPAS for many years and is the only member of the PR branch to receive an Honorary Oscar, which speaks volumes about his influence within his profession and our company. Whether it was at Columbia Pictures where I first crossed paths with him in 1977 or during our long tenure together at Amblin and Dreamworks, and now as the wise advisor at Amblin Partners, we have all been fortunate to reap the benefits of Marvin’s unwavering commitment to our company and the art form of film. As a master marketer in the entertainment industry, Marvin was always pushing the boundaries of marketing strategies for Amblin’s films, ensuring that our campaigns stayed innovative and evolving with changing audiences. The success of many films can be attributed, in part, to his marketing genius, and we, along with numerous filmmakers, executives, and colleagues, owe him a significant debt of gratitude.

Apart from his impressive career, Marvin is an exceptional person. He is a loving father and husband, having been married to Carol for an astonishing 72 years. Additionally, he is a dedicated advocate for the Shoah Foundation’s mission.

Marvin’s retirement is official, but we can’t help but hope he’ll still drop by often. His valuable insights and wit are essential to us, and we cherish every opportunity to laugh at his classic one-liners and quick comebacks, which only Marvin could deliver. He holds a special place in Amblin’s history and will forever be among those I hold the utmost respect, admiration, and affection for.

Steven Spielberg

2024-07-16 21:25

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