Donald Lee Factor

1934 - 2017

September 1, 1934 - July 15, 2017 Palm Springs, Ca. : Donald Lee Factor died peacefully at home, cared for lovingly by his wife and surrounded by family and friends on July 15, at the age of 82. The son of cosmetics legend Max Factor Jr., Don is survived by his wife Anna Factor; daughter Alyssa and husband Jason, son Andrew and wife Jaime; stepson Alexander Shaw and wife Miranda; grandchildren, Sofia and Elliot Factor and step-grandchildren Oscar and Woody Shaw. Don Factor was born on Sept 1, 1934, in Los Angeles to Max Factor Jr. and Mildred "Milly" Cohen Factor. While studying at USC he met Anthony Linick, who shared his interest in modern American Poetry. The two published a poetry magazine called "Nomad," with early works of William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. He married his high school sweetheart, Lynn Harper Factor, in 1958. While working for Max Factor & Company cosmetics as a marketing executive, the couple welcomed two children into their home - which was custom built to house the early works of Warhol, Lichtenstein, Stella, Johns, and Ruscha, and other notable artists shown at the Ferus Gallery. Don left the family business for the film business as he set about producing "That Cold Day in the Park," directed by a then young Robert Altman. Don also produced "Universal Soldier," directed by Cy Enfield (of Zulu fame, starring George Lazenby, fresh from his James Bond role.) Divorced after 10 years, Don moved to Chelsea, where he met his second wife Anna, and stepson Alex. Having been introduced at the flat of music executive John Fenton the couple mingled with a mix of royalty and rock stars on the King's Road of the early '70s. After settling down, they spent many years in Devonshire and Gloucestershire before returning to London and recently retiring to Palm Springs, California. They were married for 40 years. Diagnosed with a life threatening cancer of the lungs, liver and spine in 1986, Don was given 6 months to live. He was treated at the Contreras Clinic [Oasis of Hope Hospital] in Tijuana, with continuing treatment in Cheltenham and annual visits to see Dr. Contreras for the next 5 years; and he made a miraculous recovery. Don was an avid reader and pursued philosophical and spiritual work as well as the human potential movement. He had the good fortune to meet Professor David Bohm, a theoretical physicist working at Birkbeck College, London University and later came across his book, 'Wholeness and the Implicate Order'. Don interviewed him about his work at a Human Unity Conference at Warwick University. There was so much interest that seminars were arranged leading to the development of Dialogue groups around the UK and Europe, Israel and the US. The first such Dialogue was held at their home in Devon. This led to a book that he and a colleague wrote called, 'Unfolding Meaning,' with a foreword by David Bohm. He was recently featured in the art world documentary "The Cool School," and spoke at the Hammer Museum about working with Robert Altman. The family would like to thank Loving Care and Donald's nurses and doctors for providing compassionate care.