Crime

Prominent Beverly Hills Publicist Gunned Down in Her Mercedes-Benz

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — It was a scene befitting a Hollywood true crime drama: A prominent Beverly Hills publicist was gunned down in her Mercedes-Benz after attending a movie premiere, sending the luxury car careening into a light post near Sunset Boulevard.

Police said Ronni Chasen was shot in the chest several times and killed early Tuesday in an attack that stunned Hollywood, where she was a revered figure after promoting the Oscar-winning film “Driving Miss Daisy” and other major movies and stars over the years.

Police had no motive or suspects and said no threats had been reported against the 64-year-old Chasen. The mystery deepened later in the day when police seized computers from her firm, Chasen and Co.

Fellow publicist Howard Bragman called the killing bizarre.

“She wasn’t a shady character,” he said. “It’s a small community and she was one of the fixtures in it.”

Calls and e-mails to representatives of Chasen and Co. were not immediately returned.

Witnesses said they heard gunshots in the serene Beverly Hills neighborhood and called 911 before going outside to help.

Nahid Shekarchain told the Los Angeles Times she heard at least three gunshots sometime after midnight then found Chasen in the car with blood on her chest and gushing from her nose. The front passenger’s window had been shattered.

The killing took place after Chasen attended the premiere of the movie “Burlesque,” which the trade publication Variety said she was promoting for Screen Gems to position the soundtrack for an Oscar nomination.

Chasen “was at our premiere last night and so full of her trademark energy and love of life,” said Amy Pascal, co-chair of Screen Gems owner Sony Pictures. “We are heartbroken, shocked and completely devastated.”

Chasen was struck down in the midst of her busiest time of year — Hollywood’s award season, when the movie studios mount expensive campaigns to promote their better films for awards consideration using spin-specialists like Chasen.

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.

Chasen’s other clients included movie producers Irwin Winkler and Richard D. Zanuck.

Morgan Freeman said he had the “extreme pleasure” of working with Chasen on “Driving Miss Daisy.”

“We’ve been friends ever since,” the actor said. “She is someone I greatly admired, and she will be remembered.”

The crime scene was marked with yellow police tape stretched between two trees on a grassy parkway among stately homes south of Sunset. An orange cone marked the spot where the light post had stood, and a small bouquet of yellow and red flowers was next to the curb.

Bradley Turell, a longtime colleague of Chasen, came to the site to mourn his friend.

“Ronni was a positive force of nature,” he said during an interview by The Associated Press and KNBC. “She was just great at what she did, a supreme sales person and a great lady.”

Chasen was involved in Hollywood publicity since the 1970s. She also promoted “On Golden Pond,” which won Academy Awards for best actor, actress and screenplay in 1981.

In recent years, she worked with a number of music clients, including Janet Jackson, composer Hans Zimmer, producer Glen Ballard and Diane Warren, who wrote the song “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,“ which Cher sings in ”Burlesque.”

Stephen Jaffe, a crisis management consultant, said he and his wife, actress Susan Blakely, knew Chasen for at least 25 years. The Hollywood awards season was always a busy time for her, Jaffe said.

“She would always call us this time of year to come to really incredible events,” he said, explaining Chasen would often arrange screenings followed by intimate gatherings of filmmakers and guests.

“This was an absolutely shocking and inexplicable event that has hurt us,” Jaffe said of the shooting.

Bragman said Chasen had a unique way of doing business.

“She was not a woman who was a slave to the fashion of the day,” he said. She played to her own vision and integrity. She was very bright, very successful.”

___

AP entertainment writers Derrik Lang and Anthony McCartney contributed to this report.

Comments (32)

  • RightPolitically
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 10:02pm

    It will all become clear at some point. Fair to say, she must have p(fill in the blanks)d off somebody!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 8:33pm

    A woman was murdered here. There is nothing funny about this. There is a time & place for ignorant humor.. this isn’t it. God Bless her friends & family.

    Report Post »  
  • FireTheLeft
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 2:55pm

    It was a Prius owner… they hate those fuel-hogs…

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 2:41pm

    In California, driving a Merc, not a Prius. No wonder she was shot.

    Report Post »  
  • T.E.A.PARTNER
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 12:09pm

    He who hates his brother is guilty of murder
    Do not return evil for evil
    Do not rejoice for other’s misfortunes
    The Bible

    Report Post »  
  • kindling
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:56am

    These people have been pushing the envelope of shock value for so long that his does not shock people anymore. If you make someone mad according to Hollywood you just get rid of them and all is well again. What a world we live in.

    Report Post » kindling  
  • ed0315
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:35am

    As far as I am concerned, a Hollywood participant is gone? Good riddance.

    Report Post » ed0315  
    • ARMOR BEARER 147
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:58am

      As if you have done nothing deserving God’s judgment. Honor and Integrity defy such proud statements.

      “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 —-[-

      Report Post » ARMOR BEARER 147  
  • treshall
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:34am

    I’m with MROBVIOUS- murder is decidedly uncool and goes against any decent citizen’s values and standards. It would benefit our country immensely to have the 10 commandments brought back from exile: “Thou shalt not kill” comes to mind. May God rest this slain woman’s soul and guide the authorities to a swift arrest.

    Report Post »  
  • MrObvious
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:23am

    Get mental help.

    Most liberal progressive Hollywood elites need deprogramming, not death.

    The deprogramming will happen over time, as the public clambers for more a more conservative message in the movies and writers begin to deliver on that. In order to give the public what they want, the writers will have to being thinking conservatively, in effect deprogramming themselves. The actors, in order to make their parts believable, will have to being thinking more conservatively as well. Directors and the rest will also have to go through the same kind of transformation.

    The free market can, eventually, deprogram Hollywood.

    That said, however ……

    I doubt this lady was even political.
    Driving Ms Daisy wasn’t exactly a liberal movie.
    She was 65 years old, had no major news coverage of her opinions and, for all you know, a conservative.

    Report Post »  
  • libertyordeath87
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 8:27am

    A hollywood liberal…….where’s the loss?

    Report Post » libertyordeath87  
    • MrObvious
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:06am

      Murder is wrong, irregardless of the victim; and, what exactly did she do to deserve it?

      Basics of Liberty 101: if they are allowed to kill her, they are allowed to kill you, and me.

      Not cool.

      Report Post »  
    • ARMOR BEARER 147
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:53am

      If this is the attitude and direction of the Tea Party Movement. Promoting Injustice, Defense of Merciless killing, Proud pompous self-righteousness; I want off please.

      “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 —-[-

      Report Post » ARMOR BEARER 147  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 10:57am

      @Armor Bearer: Doesn‘t sound like you’re really on to me. I agree that folks shouldn’t mock tragedy etc. but that was ONE poster and you want to extend out over the entire Tea Party? Well, gee Wally, say goodbye to Armor Bearer and good riddance.

      Report Post »  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:01am

      OK, so there was more than one but how do you even know they are “tea party” folks?

      Just because they post hereon?

      Just sayin’

      Report Post »  
  • Conserving Ink
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 8:09am

    California is crumbling quickly, there has been no core values for some time there and now the illusion of order is unraveling. I expect the stories from that state will soon resemble those coming out of Mexico. The Federal government will force the other 49 states to bail it out and suffer the punishment even though they are not guilty of the crime.
    _______________________________________
    New Post conserving-ink.blogspot.com

    Report Post » Conserving Ink  
  • steve4u55
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:58am

    Ask Randy Quaid, He can tell you who did it. There after him too.

    Report Post » steve4u55  
    • TheLeftMadeMeRight
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 8:45am

      Remember; just because you’re NOT paranoid doesn’t mean they’re NOT out to get you!

      Report Post » TheLeftMadeMeRight  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:31am

      and if they are muslim (terrorists), they ARE DEFINITELY out to kill you.

      Report Post » BurntHills  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:57am

    There is ALWAYS more to a story like this than is initially revealed….

    Report Post »  
  • Jethro212
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:45am

    Sad story.

    Hey California, how is all that gun control working?

    Report Post »  
  • HouseNegro
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:28am

    Wow, looks like she could have used a better Publicist herself………………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • coffinman
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:27am

    Probably a “thrill” kill by local ‘bangers.

    Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:10am

    Sounds like a hit job to me!

    Report Post »  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love