Leonard Morpurgo, the renowned international publicist and communications executive, passed away on August 12 in Los Angeles at the age of 93. He had been battling cancer.
A Life Behind the Scenes of Hollywood's Golden Age
Leonard Morpurgo's illustrious career spanned over six decades, with stints at prominent entertainment companies such as Rogers & Cowan, Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, CBS Theatrical Films, and Lorimar Pictures. As a vice president at Weissman/Markovitz Communications, Morpurgo brought his wealth of experience to every campaign and conversation.
His work behind the scenes with Hollywood's most enduring figures informed his 2009 memoir, Of Kings and Queens and Movie Stars. The book recounts encounters with stars such as Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, and Omar Sharif. His son Thierry shared a glimpse into his father's adventurous life, "He was in one desert for the filming of Lawrence of Arabia and another for Dune." This was the kind of life Morpurgo led – always close to the world of movies, wherever the work took him.
A Career of Distinction and Global Reach
Morpurgo built a distinguished career representing independent and major-studio film and television productions. He brought a global perspective and a writer's sensibility to publicity, press relations, awards campaigns, unit publicity, corporate communications, and film festival work. Born on November 28, 1932, Morpurgo served as director of European publicity and promotion for Columbia Pictures before coming to the United States.
A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Morpurgo frequently participated on the Academy's International Feature Film Committee. Fluent in several languages, he was also a member of BAFTA Los Angeles. In 2022, Morpurgo was nominated for the International Cinematographers Guild's Les Mason Award for Achievement in Publicity, recognizing his longstanding contributions to the profession. For 10 years, he was the editor of the Publicists Directory.
A Legacy of Kindness and Generosity
Those who worked with Morpurgo remembered him as a kind and generous soul. Publicity executive Pamela Godwin-Austin shared her gratitude for the knowledge and guidance Morpurgo had offered her. "He shared his knowledge generously and was a great mentor. He knew how to temper the pressures of the job with humor. I am grateful he showed me the way."
As the entertainment industry mourns the loss of Morpurgo, his family and colleagues will celebrate his life and legacy. Survivors include his wife, Elena-Beth; his twin sons, Benjamin and Thierry; and his grandchildren, Violet, Oona, and Lucien. Information regarding a celebration of life will be announced.
Source: Hollywood Reporter