What happened to Mickey Cottrell?

Mickey Cottrell, the steadfast Hollywood publicist, a stalwart advocate for independent films for several decades, and a versatile figure involved in acting and producing, has passed away at the age of 79.

Cottrell’s demise occurred on New Year’s Day at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, as confirmed by his friend Ian Birnie, former LACMA film curator, to The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of death was attributed to a major stroke he suffered in 2016.

Known for his significant contributions to the promotion of independent cinema, Cottrell handled PR for three films directed by Gus Van Sant: “Drugstore Cowboy” (1989), “My Own Private Idaho” (1991), where he also took on the role of the meticulous Daddy Carroll, and “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” (1993).

His extensive portfolio also included representing films such as “Bagdad Cafe” (1987), “Earth Girls Are Easy” (1987), Phillip Noyce’s “Dead Calm” (1989), “Tarnation” (2003), “Ballets Russes” (2005), “The Price of Sugar” (2007), “Skin” (2008), “Bill Cunningham New York” (2010), “Salt” (2010), and “Tab Hunter Confidential” (2015), among numerous others.

Cottrell, who noted that films and filmmakers under his representation earned eight Sundance jury prizes and three Oscars, showcased his versatility as an actor. The Arkansas native appeared as aliens in episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in 1992 and “Star Trek: Voyager” in 1997. His acting roles extended to films like “Grief” (1993), “Ed Wood” (1994), “Speechless” (1994), “Apt Pupil” (1997), “Volcano” (1997), “Jolene” (2008), and “I Do” (2012).

In addition to his publicist and acting roles, Cottrell delved into producing, with credits including “Chain of Desire” (1992), starring Linda Fiorentino, and “Shelf Life” (1993), directed by Paul Bartel.

Born on September 4, 1944, in Springfield, Illinois, as Richard Edward Cottrell, he attended Catholic High in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas. Before making his mark in Hollywood, Cottrell acted at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and managed and served as a projectionist at the Loyola Theatre in Westchester.

Cottrell’s journey in publicity began at Landmark Theaters in Los Angeles in 1982, where he worked until 1984. He spent three years with Josh Baran & Associates before co-founding Cottrell and Lindeman Associates with Doug Lindemann in 1989. In 2002, he ventured out on his own with Mickey Cottrell Film Publicity, followed by Inclusive PR in 2004.

After experiencing a stroke, Cottrell returned to Arkansas for about three years before relocating to the Motion Picture home approximately four years ago, according to Birnie.