Decades-long veteran of entertainment PR, Howard Bragman, has died of Leukemia. According to reports he passed on Saturday, February 11, 2022. He was 66 years old.
His husband, Mike Maimone, posted the news on Bragman’s instagram account today:
“Hi, this is Howard’s husband, Mike, writing on behalf of our family. It is with a heavy heart that I announce Howard’s passing, yesterday at 8:50pm, after a short battle with leukemia.
To those who knew him best, Howard was a true and steadfast friend, a larger-than-life personality, and a constant source of joy and laughter. His memory will be celebrated with a smile and a commitment to activism.
He will be laid to rest in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, in a private ceremony later this week, and plans are underway for a memorial service in Los Angeles at a later date. Thank you for your respect and privacy during this difficult period of time.
Howard’s family kindly asks, in lieu of flowers, to please consider donating to the Coming Out Fund established in his name: https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/701454”
The unexpected news first spread through social media tributes on Saturday, leaving a wave of shock and grief among the journalists and PR professionals who had close ties with Bragman in his various capacities. Throughout his career spanning over four decades, Bragman had made a name for himself in the PR industry, co-establishing BNC (Bragman Nyman Cafarelli), which later merged with PMK, and later founding his own companies, Fifteen Minutes PR and LaBrea Media.
Bragman was known for navigating public scandal for his clients who included Cameron Diaz, Paula Abdul, Stevie Wonder, Sharon Osbourne, Monica Lewinsky, Joe Manganiello, Anna Kendrick, Terrence Howard, Ricki Lake and Melissa Rivers, to name a few. He also advised a number of celebrities, including actor Meredith Baxter, basketball player Sheryl Swoopes and country singer Chely Wright, on coming out of the closet.
“Broken hearted,” reads a post by former West Hollywood City Council and Mayor John Duran. “My dear old friend for the past 33 years passed away tonight. I love you eternally Howard Bragman. LGBT warrior. Gentle giant. Wicked humor. Will see you on the other side.”
