Hollywood Publicist Dale Olson Passes Away at 78

Dale Olson, One of the entertainment industry's greatest Publicists passed away this morning, August 9, 2012, at the Burbank Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.

Among Olson's longtime personal clients over the years have been the late Rock Hudson, for whom he was spokesperson during his battle with AIDS; Shirley MacLaine, Steve McQueen, Gene Kelly, Doris Roberts, Marion Ross, Clint Eastwood, Lord Laurence Olivier, Peter Ustinov, Robert Blake, Tony Curtis, Cleo Laine, Diane Ladd, Jean Stapleton, Marilyn Monroe, and dozens more.

Dale C. Olson has been an entertainment journalist and public relations executive in Hollywood since l956 when he became West Coast editor of the motion picture exhibitor trade magazine Boxoffice. Subsequently, he spent six and a half years as a reporter and entertainment critic. As the Variety drama critic, he was instrumental in forming The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, but left the organization when he became Publicity Director of The Mirisch Corporation, the foremost independent film Production Company of its day.

He later became an executive of Rogers & Cowan, Inc., the largest independent public relations company in the entertainment industry, where he remained for 18 years, serving as Senior Vice President and President of the Motion Picture Division.

He has headed more than 150 motion picture campaigns, including launching the Rocky, Superman, Rambo and Halloween series. Known for his numerous Academy Award Oscar activities, he has been involved in the Oscar campaigns for In the Heat of the Night, (five Oscars, including best picture and Rod Steiger as best actor; Fortune Cookie (Best supporting actor Walter Matthau); Give Em Hell, Harry (best actor nomination James Whitemore); Tender Mercies (Best actor Robert Duvall); Terms of Endearment (best actress Shirley MacLaine); Anna (Best actress nomination Sally Kirkland); American Beauty (Best picture, best actor Kevin Spacey); Gladiator (Best Picture, Best Actor Russell Crowe); and Shrek (first Best Animated Feature).

He has served on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Public Relations Coordinating Committee and Executive Committee for more than 20 years and chaired the committee for three years. Olson has received two achievement awards from the Publicists Guild of America, the Golden Key from PR News, the Internationals Press Assn. Golden Satellite for lifetime achievement and the Entertainment Industries Prism Award for community service, among many awards. He has served as a Trustee and on the Executive Committee for The Actors Fun, which serves all entertainment professionals in need.

"This is great loss for The Actors Fund," actor Brian Stokes Mitchell said. "Dale was a staunch advocate for this organization, and I'm personally humbled by his commitment and dedication. When the HIV/AIDS crisis devastated the entertainment community, Dale was among the first to speak out for those suffering and in need. His work led to programs and services that bring comfort and relief for thousands of our clients every year across the country. I speak for everyone at The Fund when I say he will be sorely missed."

Dale is survived by his spouse of more than 30 years, Eugene Harbin. Services and memorials will be scheduled in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Actors Fund, for which Dale was a trustee and an organization very close to Dale's heart.

On July 12th, 2012, Dale Olson was awarded the Actors Fund Medal of Honor (The highest honor awarded by the Actors Fund) and presented by colleague and friend, Shirley MacLaine saying, "He was not only an ace publicist, but also a true friend to me, and to so many in need in our industry. A great, loyal and generous man. Thank you, Dale."

Pictured: Dale Olson attends The Envelope's Emmy Exhibition at the Hollywood Museum on September 16, 2009, in Hollywood, Calif. Photo credit: Source Amanda Edwards/Getty Images North America.