Mickey Cottrell Cause of Death

Mickey Cottrell, a highly regarded publicist renowned for his unwavering support of independent films and the talents involved, passed away on Monday at the Motion Picture Hospital in Woodland Hills. The confirmation of his demise was provided by his sister, Suzy Cottrell. At the age of 79, Cottrell returned to Los Angeles in 2019 after residing with his sister in Arkansas during his recovery from a stroke suffered in 2016.

Suzy Cottrell fondly remembered her brother on Facebook, expressing, “My adorable, fun, critical, foodie, particular, brilliant, loving brother passed on to the next life early on New Year’s Day. He was smiling when he died. Mickey Cottrell will be missed by many.”

Recognized as a fixture at film festivals, Cottrell was eulogized by friends on social media as a generous and lively storyteller, a dedicated mentor, and the vibrant host of star-studded Sundance parties in the 1990s. His expertise in gay Hollywood history was also acknowledged.

In addition to his work as a publicist, Cottrell ventured into acting with several small roles, including appearances in films such as Gus Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho” and “Drugstore Cowboy,” as well as in “Ed Wood,” “Volcano,” and “Shortbus,” where he portrayed the character of the “dead man in Jacuzzi.” He also had roles in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Voyager.”

Throughout his career, Cottrell collaborated with notable filmmakers such as Percy Adlon, Ira Sachs, Phillip Noyce, Sophia Takal, Andrew Haigh, Jonathan Caouette, and Wim Wenders. He handled publicity for a variety of films, including “The Quiet American,” “Weekend,” “I Am Divine,” “One False Move,” “Blood and Concrete,” “Earth Girls Are Easy,” “Streetwise,” and “Querelle.”

Cottrell’s journey in Hollywood began with publicity work for Landmark Theaters, followed by a tenure at Josh Baran Associates. He established Cottrell and Lindeman Associates in 1989, later founding Mickey Cottrell Film Publicity in 2002 and Inclusive PR.

In a 2010 profile featured in the L.A. Weekly, Ella Taylor described Cottrell as “As unlike the sleek new generation of professional PR smoothies as it’s possible to be.” Variety’s Todd McCarthy also acknowledged Cottrell in a 1996 article about Sundance, noting, “As late as 1987, only one publicist, Mickey Cottrell, made the trip from Hollywood to promote a picture at the festival.”

Mickey Cottrell is survived by his two sisters, Gigi and Suzy Cottrell, as well as his nephew Jeremy Allen and great-nephew Gregory Allen.