Warren Cowan
| Warren Cowan | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 13, 1921 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 2008 (aged 87) Los Angeles, U.S. |
| Cause of death | cancer |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | film industry publicist |
| Spouse(s) | Ronnie Cowan (divorced) Barbara Rush (divorced) Josette Banzet (divorced) Barbara Gilbert-Cowan |
| Children |
with Ronnie Cowan: --Bonnie Fleming --Linda Cowan (predeceased) with Barbara Rush: --Claudia Cowan |
| Parent(s) | Rubey Cowan Grace Cowan |
| Family | Stanley Cowan (brother) |
Warren Cowan (March 13, 1921 – May 14, 2008) was a prominent American film industry publicist. From 1950 to 1992, he was a co-founder and named partner in Rogers & Cowan, the world's largest publicity firm; he established his own firm Cowan & Associates in 1994. At the time of his death, he was described as "one of Hollywood’s most powerful and innovative publicists", known for his creative use of independent publicity.
He was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the son of songwriter Rubey Cowan and Grace Cowan. He had one older brother, Stanley, who was also a songwriter. He attended Townsend Harris High School, a school for boys on the educational fast track. While attending the University of California, Los Angeles, Cowan majored in journalism and represented actress Linda Darnell. Cowan served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II for three years.
In 1946, Cowan joined the firm established by Henry C. Rogers. In 1950, he became a partner in the firm, which then changed its name to Rogers & Cowan. He was named president in 1964. Rogers & Cowan became one of the largest entertainment public relations firm in the world handling not only entertainers but also high-tech manufacturers, athletes, publishers, movie studios and trade unions. Whenever he was asked to name his favorite client, Cowan's constant answer was always "the next one."
In 1950, Cowan staged the first celebrity charity-fundraiser, a golf tournament on behalf of motion picture director Frank Borzage. Rogers was the first agent to actively solicit public support for his client's nomination for an Academy Award, starting with Joan Crawford's performance in 1945's Mildred Pierce; she won Best Actress. In 1997, Cowan personally introduced Italian actor Roberto Benigni to his already famous American peers, all of them Cowan clients and Academy voters, on behalf of Miramax. Benigni and his picture, Life Is Beautiful, won three Oscars that year.
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