Uber lobbyist Jack Valenti dies at 85....

[Virginia Dare]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070427-0005-obit-valenti.html

In one of those weird Washington D.C. coincidences I actually worked in the same office building and worked out at the same gym as Jack Valenti some years back. He would recognize me and say hello. He was a cool old guy, one of the old D.C. establishment. Real snappy dresser. RIP Mr. Valenti.


LOS ANGELES – Jack Valenti was not just Hollywood's top lobbyist. He was one of its biggest stars.
The 85-year-old Valenti, who died Thursday of complications from a stroke in March, led the movie industry out of the prudishness of old Hollywood and into an age of freer expression with the creation of the film rating system that has endured nearly 40 years.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Halberstam, Valenti...two giants in one week

[Blue_Tires]

2. very sad

I never got a chance to meet him, but those i've run across that did meet him ALWAYS seem to have their own unique Valenti story that was funny, outrageous, and stranger than fiction...RIP

[Lance_Boyle]

3. He should only rest in peace

if he takes his bought-and-paid-for DMCA with him.