Movie Industry Titan, and LBJ Lackey, Rolls His Final Credits - Jack Valenti Obit

Jack Valenti, 85, both a political confidant and movie industry power, passed away on April 26th, at his home in Washington, D.C.

Valenti, a World War II veteran, began is career as an oil industry ad executive, before riding the coattails of a Texas Senator, Lyndon Johnson, eventually becoming a Special Assistant to President Johnson.

Valenti was in the infamous Dallas motorcade on November 22nd, 1963 that saw the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and can be seen in the ubiquitous photograph of Vice President Johnson being sworn in as President aboard Air Force One following the shooting.

In 1966, Valenti left the world of politics to take over as President of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and, in 1968, instituted what became a controversial rating system of movies that has endured to this day.

At his wake, standing guard around the open casket were floral arrangements in the shape of his beloved rating system - "G", "R" and "X"

As a final tribute to the movie biz titan, the MPAA issued a special, one-time only "JV" rating for Valenti's funeral, saying that is was for conservative, prudish, Mature Audiences only.

And, in another tribute to Valenti's commitment to the commerce of the motion picture business, a Director's Cut DVD of the funeral will be released in approximately three-weeks.

Links

Jack Valenti, 85; former Hollywood lobbyist pioneered film ratings system

Jack Valenti's rating system changed movies

Jack Valenti's Long Goodbye