According to the New York Times, reporters trying to get interviews with Steven Spielberg would sometimes grouse that his publicist’s job amounted to speaking a single word: “No.”

But Marvin Levy, who served as Mr. Spielberg’s publicist for 42 years, was responsible for much more than body blocking reporters. Mr. Spielberg did not become Mr. Spielberg bccause of his filmmaking alone: Mr. Levy was behind the scenes — promoting, polishing, spinning, safeguarding, strategizing — to ensure that his boss was viewed worldwide as Hollywood’s de facto head of state.

In addition to representing him personally, Mr. Levy helped devise and lead publicity campaigns for 32 movies that Mr. Spielberg directed. Mr. Levy received an honorary Oscar in 2018 for his work.

Mr. Levy died on April 7 at his home in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles, after a 73-year entertainment career. He was 96.