LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Paul Bloch, the veteran publicist who served as the chairman of Rogers & Cowan, and who worked with a wide variety of A-list clients, died on Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. He was 78.
Known for his deft touch, Bloch handled numerous public relations disasters for clients over the course of his five-decade career, including guiding Comedian Eddie Murphy, after he was stopped with a transgender prostitute in 1997.
Bloch also helped to calm the waters for actor Nick Nolte after he was arrested for driving under the influence in 2002.
In addition to his work with actors, Bloch also represented a host of musical clients, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart and Barry Gibb.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Bloch transplanted with his family to Los Angeles, where he would go on to graduate from UCLA. After serving in the army, Bloch landed a job at Rogers & Cowan in their mailroom and worked his way up through the company, mentored by its founders Henry Rogers and Warren Cowan.
In a statement released by Rogers & Cohen, the PR firm said Bloch “remained relevant over the decades, always working with the newest talent of the current generation.”
Bloch was honored with the Les Mason award of the Publicists’ Guild in 1991.
He is survived by his sister, as well as a nephew and two nieces. A memorial service is being arranged.
