As police investigate the slaying of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen, movie industry leaders are expressing grief and outrage at the loss of the 64-year-old industry veteran.
Chasen was gunned down in her Mercedes on Sunset Boulevard Tuesday after attending the premiere of the new Cher and Christina Aguilera film “Burlesque,” whose soundtrack she was pushing for an Oscar nomination, according to the trade publication Variety.
She also was working with 20th Century Fox on a supporting actor Oscar campaign for Michael Douglas in :Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps,” according to Allen Berry, a publicist for the actor.
She was shot in the chest several times in the attack that sent her luxury car careening into a light post. Police had no motive or suspects and said no threats had been reported against her.
Morgan Freeman, commenting on her death, said in a statement: “I had the extreme pleasure of working with Ronnie on “Driving Miss Daisy.” We’ve been friends ever since. She is someone I greatly admired and she will be remembered.”
Rich Ross, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Ronni’s unexpected passing. Ronni Chasen is a legend in this industry, and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. Our thoughts are with her family, her friends and her team at Chasen & Company.”
“Ronni was a dear friend and cherished member of our community,” Sony chairman Amy Pascal said. “She was at our premiere last night and so full of her trademark energy and love of life. We are heartbroken, shocked and completely devastated.”
Joe Roth, a client and friend, said: “I”m shocked. She was my friend for 35 years. Ronni was a dogged champion of movies and we all will feel her loss. It’s inconceivable, actually.”
“All of us in personal publicity are devastated by this tragic loss,” said Kelly Bush, the CEO of Id-pr. “Ronni was a terrific publicist, blazing a trail for women in this business, like few others. I greatly admired and respected her. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and staff.”
“Ronni Chasen was a press agent extraordinaire,” said longtime publicist Vivian Mayer. “She never called herself a publicist. She was everyone’s best friend, and my mentor, my sister. She loved the entertainment business.”
PMK principal Heidi Schaeffer had just returned from holidays in Europe with Chasen.
“It’s incomprehensible,” she wrote. “I’ve lost a dear friend and our industry has lost a true original. Although short in stature she was a giant among us. I had just gone with Ronni to Paris and then on to the film festival in Ghent, which she so proudly represented. She always told me what a marvelous festival it was, and that was no exaggeration.”
Schaeffer said they saw Chasen’s client, screenwriter Ronald Harwood and old friends Yanou Collart, Beatrice Wachsberger and Dany Jucaud.