David Weitzner, Hollywood Marketing Executive on ‘E.T.,’ ‘Star Wars,’ Dies At 86

David Weitzner, a marketing executive known throughout Hollywood for his campaign work dozens of films including “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “This Is Spinal Tap” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” died on Sept 1 in Calabasas. He was 86.

Born and raised in New York City, Weitzner began his entertainment marketing career at Grey Advertising, where he became VP and general manager of the company’s entertainment division. During his tenure at Grey Advertising, Weitzner oversaw the ABC Pictures and Warner Brothers accounts.

He was hired to lead worldwide marketing at ABC Pictures and Edgar Scherick’s Palomar Pictures International, where he worked on the campaigns of landmark films including “They Shoot Horses Don’t They,” “Sleuth” and “The Heartbreak Kid.”

After moving to Los Angeles in 1976, Weitzner became VP of worldwide marketing at 20th Century Fox, overseeing the campaigns of blockbuster films including “Star Wars” and “Alien.”

In 1979, Weitzner was hired as President of Worldwide Marketing for Universal Studios, leading campaigns for films such as “The Blues Brothers” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” He later returned as President of Worldwide Marketing for the MCA/Universal Studios Recreation Services Group, overseeing all marketing for the theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando, the Universal CityWalk, and the Universal Studios Cinemas.

While heading up marketing at Embassy, he oversaw the campaign for the indie hit “This Is Spinal Tap” as well as “Eddie and the Cruisers.”

After leaving Universal, Weitzner taught the Business of Entertainment at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts as an adjunct professor, where he became a longtime director of the USC Summer Program. In 2016, Weitzner became chairholder of the Mark Burnett Endowed Chair for the Summer Production Program.

Weitzner was a longtime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and previously served as Chairman of the MPAA’s Advertising and Publicity Committee from 1979 to 1981.

Weitzner is survived by his wife Joan, his children Jonathan Rosenthal, Dana Weitzner-Bergman, Jason Weitzner and grandchildren Sam, Tyler, and Chloe.