 |
Ronni Sue ChasenAmerican publicist and advertising agent
Date of Birth: 17.10.1946
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Career Beginnings
- A Trailblazing Publicist
- The "Oscar Whisperer": A Hollywood Force
- Paving the Way for Composers
- A Tragic Demise
- The Harold Smith Connection
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Veronica Cohen in Kingston, New York, Susan Chasen spent her childhood in various neighborhoods of New York City. As a child, she gained a taste of fame by winning a yo-yo contest hosted by Duncan Toys Company.
A Trailblazing Publicist
Chasen began her career as an agent, representing her brother, filmmaker Larry Cohen. She gained prominence through her work on films such as "On Golden Pond" and "Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps." Chasen's successful publicity campaign for Michael Douglas's iconic character, Gordon Gekko, significantly boosted his popularity.
The "Oscar Whisperer": A Hollywood Force
Chasen became renowned for her exceptional ability to generate Oscar buzz for films. She led Oscar campaigns for over 100 popular movies, including "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Hurt Locker."
Paving the Way for Composers
In 1993, Chasen joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as Senior Vice President of Publicity. Concurrently, she founded her own PR firm, Chasen & Co., where she focused on representing film composers, including Trevor Horn, Mark Isham, Hans Zimmer, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, and David and Thomas Newman. Laura Dunn, a representative of the Society of Composers and Lyricists, once remarked that Chasen's work paved the way for countless talented artists to have successful careers.
A Tragic Demise
On the morning of November 16, 2010, Chasen was fatally shot in Beverly Hills while driving home from the premiere of "Burlesque." Police believe she was targeted by a sniper in another vehicle. Investigators suspect the use of expanding bullets. The case remains unsolved.
The Harold Smith Connection
On December 1, 2010, Harold Smith committed suicide as police approached his home. Neighbors reported Smith's financial struggles and mention of an expected large income from an unknown source. The extent of his involvement in Chasen's death is still unknown.
