Leonard Morpurgo, a veteran international film publicist who held senior positions at Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, Rogers & Cowan and other major entertainment firms, has died at the age of 93. His employer, Weissman/Markovitz Communications, where he served as vice president, confirmed he died on 12 August after suffering from cancer, capping a decades-long career that spanned continents and connected him with numerous Hollywood icons.

Born in London on 28 November 1932, Morpurgo began his career in Europe as director of publicity and promotion for Columbia Pictures before moving to the United States, where he took on leadership marketing and PR roles at Universal Studios, CBS Theatrical Films, Lorimar Pictures and Rogers & Cowan. His experiences on set, including trips to desert locations for films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Dune, informed his 2009 memoir Of Kings and Queens and Movie Stars, which recounted encounters with stars including Cary Grant, Steve McQueen and Omar Sharif. He is survived by his wife, Elena-Beth Kaye, twin sons Benjamin and Thierry, and three grandchildren.