A legend has left us… On April 22 Star Publicist Edward Lozzi, 77 died after a brief battle with esophagus cancer. I know that his passing leaves an empty void in Hollywood, the city where he was a maverick publicist for over 50 years. He leaves behind his beautiful Mom, brother Marco, son Brandon and wife and 3 beautiful grandchildren and many beloved friends..
Ed was the epitome of a great publicist – likeable, friendly, intelligent, strong, loyal and an excellent spokesperson for celebrity clients like George Barris, the Batmobile creator, Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Mamie Van Doren, Debbie Reynolds, Jon Voight, Milton Berle. Lou Ferrigno, Rudi Vallee and many others. For 27 years he masterminded the publicity for Norby Walters’ legendary “Night of 100 Stars” Oscar Dinner. He then went on to mastermind the publicity for Roger Neal’s legendary Oscar Dinner – they were good friends and colleagues for 45 years.
Ed was one of the good ones and he will be missed by the many individuals who knew him. He truly touched the hearts of so many with his compassion, kindness, frankness, humor and strong work ethic. Longtime friend and client Mamie Van Doren wrote me “the Ed Lozzi Prayer … I’m trying to decide what to do about Ed Lozzi… For instance, who will I call when I want to know the such-and such about so-and-so? Where will I get the comforting Baritone rich with wisdom and the fine stories about our town and profession? I Googled to see if there was an Ed Lozzi AI, or a service to provide Ed Lozzi ‘s on in an emergency. Chat GPT came up empty. Our beloved Ed was un-duplicatable. Ed, if you can hear me, look down from your perch and send a replacement our way. And, if not, may Eternity be kind to you. May your pockets be stuffed with our Prayers. Amen. Love, Mamie”.
Stanley Kramer ‘s family: “Ed was a force of nature and he touched our lives in so many ways over the years’.
Gloria Allred : “Ed was one of the best publicists in Hollywood. He was brilliant and trusted by many Hollywood stars. We know he will be missed”.
Gloria ‘s client Alicia Arden added ” Ed was the best! He loved Hollywood! I interviewed so many celebrities because of him on red carpets and pod casts”.
Brett Barris: ” Ed was George’s PR guy for decades… plus he was a member of the family. He handled all of George ‘s crazy events with patience and humor. A true professional and Hollywood Icon. He was such a sweet man . He will be deeply missed by many people”.
Ryan Cassidy “Ed was always very supportive to my Mom and Marty. He was a hard worker and will be missed”
Teresa Ganzel’: “Ed was a great businessman and publicist. A hard worker who took it seriously. But he also took it ridiculously! With a twinkle in his eye how silly Tinseltown could be. This is what made him so special”.
As a journalist my first coverage for him was when his star client George Barris was honored by the Beverly Hills Friars Club in about 2006. It was an excellent night, and I came through for Ed with a beautiful pictorial that I helped to create. He loved it and told me that he had just sent it over to George and that he and his team loved it. Many years later when Ed reminisced about George, he said the Friars event was his favorite event he ever did for him and shared the pictorial that I had co-created.
Ed was a man with strong convictions – he cared deeply about his clients and friends and strongly supported women’s rights, and the victims of clergy abuse pro bono. He went to great lengths to make sure the legacy of his beloved Lana Clarkson was correct after she was killed by Phil Spector. It was always fun to run into Ed around town. He was a social butterfly. We spoke many times on the phone at length – actually Ed did most of the talking and his insider stories were great. He was a genius raconteur… I will miss those life lessons Ed.
I enjoyed covering numerous events for Ed over the years and he was always thankful and appreciative. Thank you Marie Forti Ed’s longtime assistant and friend for your help preparing this piece and to Ed’s longtime friend and colleague Cathy Griffin too. Pieces like these are hard to write and I appreciate both your support.
During the height of my traumatic brain injury illness I got him excellent online pre show coverage for Bob Anderson ‘s show Sinatra and Friends which he told me helped ticket sales. I was too ill for the dinner and show but he made sure to show his appreciation. It was a pleasure to be part of Ed’s world… About 14 months before my accident he took me out for a very expensive birthday dinner which was very nice. He was a class act. I wish we could have more of those great dinners Ed and that I could attend more of your events.
One of Ed’s last accomplishments was writing the forward to the book, “A Trail of Stardust”, about the late great Francine York who was one of his favorite people. Ed – I hope you are reuniting with all your past beloved clients and beloved friends and relatives in the afterlife.
Ed’s father died when he was very young and I’m sure he was peeking in and very proud of the great success he made of himself. I hope you are enjoying happy reunions with Lana, Marci, George and his wife Shirley, Debbie and Carrie, Marty, Farrah, Marilyn (“what a dish!” he used to say) Anna Nicole, Quincy, Rudy, Milton, Francine, Jody Baby Doll, Sally. Chuck, ZsaZsa, Francesca, Marilyn (what a dish he used to say!) Jay, Norby – the list goes on and one…
Whenever Ed memorialized someone on social media he would conclude by saying “Travel Well,” and the name of the deceased. So, I will conclude this tribute by saying “Travel well Ed..” and add “you will never know the countless people whose lives you touched
and how much you are loved and appreciated”. Travel well Ed, Travel well.
Celebration of Life Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 1:30pm, Hollywood Presbyterian Church – Mears Center Room 1760 N. Gower Street
Hollywood, CA 90028