Marvin Levy, who was the longtime adviser and publicist to Oscar winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, died April 7 at the age of 96. Spielberg issued a statement which 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.”

Outside of his work with Spielberg, Marvin worked on the marketing campaigns for a numer of other legendary films.

He helped promote film such as like Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Gigi, Ben-Hur, Taxi Driver, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, Men in Black, Deep Impact, Shrek and “Gladiator.

He began his career in the late 1940s working on game shows before he became a writer and assistant producer for early talk show hosts Tex and Jinx McCrary.

He also held roles at MGM’s New York publicity office, PR agency Blowitz Thomas and Canton and Cinema Releasing.

He first collaborated with Spielberg on his sci-fi epic Close Encounters of the Third Kind while working as VP of advertising, publicity and promotion at Columbia Pictures.

He left Columbia to work with exclusively with Spielberg at Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Studios.

He retired in 2024 after nearly a half-century working in the industry.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Levy, their two sons, Don Levy and Doug Levy, and his two grandsons.