Who Was Mickey Cottrell? Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Death Cause & Obituary
Mickey Cottrell (born 4 November 1944 – died 1 January 2024, Aged: 79 years old) was a veteran publicist, actor, and producer who championed independent cinema and worked with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his time. He passed away on January 1, 2024, at the age of 79, after battling Parkinson’s disease.
Early Life and Education
Mickey was born on November 4, 1944, in Springfield, Illinois, USA. He was the son of John Cottrell, a lawyer, and Mary Cottrell, a homemaker. He had a sister, Suzy Cottrell-Smith, and a cousin, John Wardlow, who were both close to him.
He attended Little Rock Catholic High School in Arkansas, where he developed an interest in theater and journalism. He then studied at the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Arts Center, where he honed his skills as an actor and a writer.
Mickey Cottrell Wiki/Bio
| Name | Mickey Cottrell |
| Date of birth | November 4, 1944 |
| Place of birth | Springfield, Illinois, USA |
| Date of death | January 1, 2024 |
| Place of death | Woodland Hills, California, USA |
| Education | Little Rock Catholic High School, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Arts Center |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, publicist |
| Years active | 1978-2024 |
| Spouse | Susan Cottrell (1972-1982) |
| Children | None |
| Relatives | Suzy Cottrell-Smith (sister), John Wardlow (cousin) |
| Net worth | $8 million |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Irish, German |
| Awards | International Documentary Association’s Amicus Award Film Independent Spirit Awards’ Special Distinction Award Sundance Institute’s Vanguard Award Independent Spirit Award nomination |
| Social Media | Instagram: mickeycottrell Facebook: mickey.cottrell IMDb: nm0183170 |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career as a Publicist
Mickey started his career as a publicist in the late 1970s, working for the American Film Institute and the Los Angeles Film Festival. He soon became known for his passion and expertise in promoting independent films, especially those that were challenging, innovative, and diverse.
He founded his own company, Inclusive PR, in 1984, and worked with some of the most influential directors of his generation, such as Gus Van Sant, John Cameron Mitchell, Gregg Araki, Todd Haynes, Allison Anders, and Phillip Noyce. He also handled the publicity campaigns for films like Dead Calm, My Own Private Idaho, Poison, The Living End, Ed Wood, The Doom Generation, The Opposite of Sex, Memento, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus, and We Are X.
He was widely respected and admired by his colleagues and clients, who praised his creativity, integrity, and dedication. He was also known for his generosity and mentorship, helping many young filmmakers and publicists to launch their careers.
He received several awards and honors for his work as a publicist, including the International Documentary Association’s Amicus Award in 2016, the Film Independent Spirit Awards’ Special Distinction Award in 2017, and the Sundance Institute’s Vanguard Award in 2018.
Net Worth and Income Sources
According to some sources, Cottrell had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death. He earned his wealth from his career as an actor, producer, and publicist. He founded his own company, Inclusive PR, in 1984, and handled the publicity campaigns for many successful independent films. He also received several awards and honors for his work as a publicist, such as the International Documentary Association’s Amicus Award, the Film Independent Spirit Awards’ Special Distinction Award, and the Sundance Institute’s Vanguard Award.
As an actor, he appeared in more than 30 films and TV shows, often playing quirky and memorable characters. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in My Own Private Idaho in 1992. As a producer, he was involved in the creative and financial aspects of several films, such as One, The Magic of Marciano, Em, Big River Man, and Perfect Cowboy.
Physical Stats
Mickey was 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighed about 165 lbs (75 kg). He had brown hair and blue eyes.
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye color | Blue |
Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion
Mickey was an American citizen by birth. He was of Irish and German descent. He did not disclose his religious beliefs publicly, but he was raised in a Catholic family. He attended Little Rock Catholic High School in Arkansas, where he developed an interest in theater and journalism.
Controversies
Cottrell was not involved in any major controversies during his career. He was widely respected and admired by his colleagues and clients, who praised his creativity, integrity, and dedication. He was also known for his generosity and mentorship, helping many young filmmakers and publicists to launch their careers. He was a vocal advocate for independent cinema and diversity in the film industry.
Career as an Actor and Producer
Mickey was not only a publicist but also an actor and a producer. He appeared in more than 30 films and TV shows, often playing quirky and memorable characters. Some of his notable roles include Daddy Carroll in My Own Private Idaho, Councilman Gates in Volcano, Dead Man in the Jacuzzi in Shortbus, and Hammy Alien in Ed Wood.
He also produced or co-produced several films, such as One, The Magic of Marciano, Em, Big River Man, and Perfect Cowboy. He was involved in the creative process of the films he worked on, offering his insights and suggestions to the filmmakers.
He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in My Own Private Idaho in 1992.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Mickey Cottrell was married to Susan Cottrell, a film editor, from 1972 to 1982. They had no children. He later came out as gay and had several relationships, but never remarried.
He was an avid traveler, art collector, and animal lover. He had a Facebook page and an Instagram account, where he shared his photos and thoughts with his friends and fans.
Death Cause
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017, which affected his mobility and speech. He moved to the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Woodland Hills, California, where he received care and support. He died there on January 1, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.
He is survived by his sister, Suzy Cottrell-Smith, his cousin, John Wardlow, and his many friends and colleagues in the film industry. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Legacy and Tributes
Mickey left behind a legacy of excellence, innovation, and diversity in the independent film world. He was instrumental in bringing many films and filmmakers to the attention of the audiences and the critics, and in shaping the culture and history of cinema.
He was also remembered as a kind, generous, and fun-loving person, who touched the lives of many people with his humor, wisdom, and compassion.
Many of his friends and colleagues paid tribute to him on social media and in the press, expressing their gratitude, admiration, and sorrow. Some of the messages are:
Gus Van Sant, director: “Mickey was a great friend and a great publicist. He had a unique vision and a unique way of communicating. He was always supportive and enthusiastic about the films he worked on. He will be greatly missed.”
John Cameron Mitchell, director and actor: “Mickey was a legend, a mentor, and a muse. He was the first person to believe in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and to spread the word about it. He was also a brilliant actor and a hilarious person. He was one of a kind.”
