Leonard Morpurgo Dies: Longtime Publicist For Universal, Columbia, Rogers & Cowan, More Was 93

Leonard Morpurgo, a longtime international film publicist who served in senior roles at Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, Rogers & Cowan and elsewhere, has died at 93.

Weissman/Markovitz Communications, where Morpurgo was VP, told Deadline that died August 12 of cancer.

Before his stint at Weissman/Markovitz, he served as international VP of Rogers & Cowan Public Relations, head of international marketing for Universal Studios and held comparable positions at CBS Theatrical Films and Lorimar Pictures. Before coming to the United States, the England native served as director of European publicity and promotion for Columbia Pictures and also was editor of the Publicists Directory for a decade.

“He was in one desert for the filming of Lawrence of Arabia and another for Dune,” said his son, Thierry. “That was the kind of life he led — always close to the world of movies, wherever the work took him.”

Born November 28, 1932, in London, Morpurgo worked behind the scenes with many enduring figures in the entertainment industry. 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 such icons as Cary Grant, Steve McQueen and Omar Sharif.

His colleagues at Weissman/Markovitz Communications said Morpurgo brought a global perspective and a writer’s sensibility to publicity, press relations, awards campaigns, unit publicity, corporate communications and film festival work.

“Leonard brought uncommon experience, intelligence and perspective to every campaign and every conversation,” said Weissman/Markovitz president, who collaborated with Morpurgo for many years. “He was a skilled raconteur, and I will miss his passion for storytelling and hearing about the old days of Hollywood.”

Morpurgo also was an accomplished needlepoint artist, and in his final months, he took particular 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 grandchildren Violet, Oona and Lucien. Details about a celebration of life will be announced later.