EntertainmentPosted at: Aug 2 2025 8:40PM


Esteemed film publicist Scott MacDonough, passes away at 81

New York, Aug 2 (UNI) Scott MacDonough, a revered figure in Hollywood publicity circles whose discerning eye and literary acumen shaped the marketing of several acclaimed films from the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 81.
According to his family members, he died peacefully on Tuesday at his residence in New York, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
Over a career spanning two prolific decades, MacDonough became a quietly influential figure in the world of film publicity. His credits include multiple collaborations with auteur Woody Allen's 'The Front' (1976), 'Annie Hall' (1977), 'Interiors' (1978) and 'Manhattan' (1979) and for the Martin Ritt-directed movies 'Conrack' (1974), 'Casey’s Shadow' (1978), 'Norma Rae' (1979), 'Back Roads' (1981) and 'Stanley & Iris' (1990).
In interviews, Kevin Bacon has given MacDonough credit for helping get Barry Levinson’s 'Diner' (1982) released after the film tested poorly and was put on a shelf at MGM/UA.
Born Scott Pearsall MacDonough on May 15, 1944, in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, he moved with his family to Maplewood, New Jersey at age three. There, he attended Columbia High School before earning a degree from Middlebury College and earning his master’s degree in American Literature from Columbia University, MacDonough began his career as a writer for film and television publications before becoming a unit publicist.
His publicity credits included 'The Magic Garden' of Stanley Sweetheart (1970), '40 Carats' (1973), 'Summer Wishes', 'Winter Dreams' (1973), 'Ciao Maschio' (1978), 'Chapter Two' (1979), 'Gordon Willis’ Windows' (1980), Robert Altman’s 'Streamers' (1983) and 'The Prince of Pennsylvania' (1988). He was a unit publicist from 1970-90, with a lot of that time spent at MGM/UA.
“He will be remembered for his encyclopedic knowledge of movies, his skilled writing and his incredible sense of humor,” his family noted.
In addition to his sister, survivors include his nephew, Chris, and his niece, Noelle. Funeral services will be private.
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