Leonard Morpurgo, the London-born international film publicist and communications executive who had senior posts at companies including Rogers & Cowan, Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, CBS Theatrical Films and Lorimar Pictures, died of cancer on Aug. 12. He was 93.
Morpurgo’s career spanned over 50 years. He worked at newspapers before becoming a publicist. A gentlemanly figure who was a fixture at film festivals and markets worldwide, he was fluent in multiple languages and specialized in sharing his global perspective while representing independent and major-studio film and television productions. His experiences and observations from the international film world formed the basis of his 2009 memoir “Of Kings and Queens and Movie Stars,” a collection of stories recalling encounters with figures in the entertainment industry including Cary Grant, Steve McQueen and Omar Sharif.
“He was in one desert for the filming of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and another for ‘Dune,’” said his son, Thierry Morpurgo in a statement. “That was the kind of life he led — always close to the world of movies, wherever the work took him.”
Morpurgo was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and frequently participated on the Academy’s International Feature Film Committee. He also was a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts 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.
“Leonard brought uncommon experience, intelligence, and perspective to every campaign and every conversation,” said longtime collaborator and president of Weissman/Markovitz Communications Rick Markovitz. “He was a skilled raconteur, and I will miss his passion for storytelling and hearing about the old days of Hollywood.”
Morpurgo’s vast experience and enduring presence made him well-known as an international film publicity professional.
“Leonard was a sweet, kind and generous soul — and my second boss after I moved to Los Angeles nearly five decades ago,” said publicity executive Pamela Godwin-Austin. “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.”
Along with his contributions to the film industry, Morpurgo was an accomplished needlepoint artist. In his final months, he took pleasure in seeing his work exhibited in a virtual-reality art gallery.
Morpurgo is survived by his wife Elena-Beth Kaye, his twin sons Benjamin and Thierry, and his grandchildren, Violet, Oona and Lucien.
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