Sam X. Abarbanel

ABARBANEL, Sam X. Died on August 9, 2006 in Los Angeles at the age of 92. Beloved, devoted, and proud father of Gail Abarbanel and Steve Klein (son-in-law).
Born March 17, 1914 in New Jersey, Sam was a publicist, writer, and producer. He was a Founding Member of The Publicist's Guild and a long-time member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He attended Cornell and Columbia Universities, and received his B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1936. He worked as a newspaperman in Chicago and then moved to New York to work at Republic Studios. He served with the 103rd Division, 410th Regiment, in France, Germany, and Austria in World War II. In 1946, he returned to Hollywood and became an independent marketing specialist, working for Seymour Nebenzal and the Mary Pickford-Buddy Rogers-Ralph Cohn Company. He worked on High Noon and Academy Award campaigns for La Strada, Henry V, The Red Balloon, as well as for other films and actors. Sam produced several films, including Golden Mistress, and wrote and produced Prehistoric Women. In 1963, he moved to Spain where he produced The Last Day of the War and The Narco Men. He remained in Spain for twenty years. Sam showed extraordinary strength, courage, and determination in the face of adversity. He was a kind man who always lent a hand to others. He had a great sense of humor and a generous heart. He taught us, by example, to follow our hearts and pursue our dreams. In accordance with Sam's wishes, services will be private.