- Content: HE HONORED OTHERS OVER HIMSELF
For Those Entering the New Year…
A Life Lesson from the Passing of a Hollywood Publicist
Little did Hollywood publicist Scotty Dugan know last Wednesday (Dec. 21) as he climbed onto his bike to head to the North Hollywood train station for the funeral of tragically murdered music producer John Atterberry, that he would never complete the ride. Bystanders at the station saw him grab for his head in pain and immediately collapse. Although paramedics worked to revive him, he died 10 minutes after arriving at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA at 11:30AM. In a way, however, it seemed typical, if not almost fitting that one who had always served others first, was doing that very thing even at the moment of his death.
The response was
instantaneous and profound as family, friends and professional associates from L.A. to Boston could not believe the news. But then, a life cut short always evokes pain from those closest, but somehow this was different. People he’d only seldom met found themselves struggling for balance. Though Scotty, as he was known in LA, worked at the highest levels in a cutthroat business as an editor at the Hollywood Reporter, a publicist for top stars like Barbara Streisand at Levine/Schneider, and as an executive assistant in the highest (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO) offices of Disney even spearheading a technical Oscar campaign for several studios, he also loved serving those independent filmmakers and actors who really couldn’t afford his world class skills.
Through his signature PR company, Dugan & Story (named for his grandmother Catherine Story) he gave independent movies like: “Clipping Adam”, “Midnight Reckoning”, “The Hungry Woman”, “The Desperate”; breaking actresses like: Emily Grace (“What Alice Found”) & Jenn Gotzon (“Frost/Nixon”); independent film festivals like “The 168 Film Festival”, and early years of the MOVIEGUIDE® Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala & Report to the Entertainment Industry publicity, news headlines, and TV coverage they never could have afforded during their early years. As a devoted student of cinema, he brought a contagious enthusiasm and a unique and demanding script analysis format to inspire upcoming filmmakers to the level of excellence that he’d always demanded of himself.
Actress Jenn Gotzon, a client and friend, reminisced that:
“Scotty had a passion that fired in his heart for story. That story was told through journalism in press releases, news articles and press photography. Scotty was the most uniquely creative person I’ve ever met with an entrepreneur mindset and creative vision backed by the most solid industry wisdom.”
John David Ware, President of 168 Hour Film Festival, added:
“Scotty was a true friend … always ready to listen and dig in with both hands. He was passionate beyond the capacity of most people. His work was of the utmost quality… He was one of those thinkers that is so far outside the box that you wonder where it comes from.”
People had to get their regular fix of this renaissance man. His insatiable curiosity and creativity led him to compose new songs, hold “A” class parties, snag amazing deals on Ebay, advise others on the intricacies of buying fine men’s suits, hang out with famous new people, tirelessly work on finishing his film equipment truck, rebuild a V-6 head block, research hot new topics, and make arrangements to skipper a tuna boat off New England. To the rest of us “muggles” who barely could keep our heads above water with necessities, he was that source of news and stimulation you could never get on cable.
Even when economic times were tough, no one ever heard him complain, blame anyone else, or ask for a handout. And while he never wore it on his sleeve, he was a steadfast believer in the gospel, and lived that out in the way he selflessly helped others.
Dr. Ted Baehr, Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE®, reflected:
“Scott Dugan was a force to be reckoned with. Not only did he have strong convictions and a clear vision but he also tackled every subject with intense gusto. Scotty always had time for humorous philosophic and ideological discussions. He had a passion for God’s kingdom and a passion for liberty.”
Judi Johnston Vankevich, known as “Judi The Manners Lady” added:
“What a thrill to see Scotty work that “red carpet” and yet he was just as comfortable serving in a soup kitchen or giving money away to someone in need.”
Like the ever-giving-to-a-fault George Baily from “It’s a Wonderful Life” Scott may not have ended his life with fame and riches, but boy did he have friends, and a man who has friends is never poor. In fact, he may just have crossed the finish line as “the richest man in the world.” Certainly, his friends were rich for having known him. In his zest for living and giving, he reminded us that maybe, just maybe, we should worry less about the destination and more about the journey. And for those who took the journey with Scott, it was always an adventure. As we all enter the New Year, we may do well to consider the dictum that Scotty seemed to live by as he publicized others over himself, “There’s no telling how much good you can do in this world, if you’re not concerned about who gets the credit.”
(A wake and funeral service will be held on January 3rd and 4th at Cota Funeral Home in North Reading, MA and a memorial service will be held in mid-January in Hollywood – see Scotty Dugan Tribute in Facebook)
In Loving Memory of Scott “Scotty” Dugan
Hollywood, CA December 21, 2011, Scott “Scotty” Dugan, 52, Hollywood Publicist, Reporter, and Manager passed away unexpectedly. Scott was born on Sept. 21, 1959 in Winchester, Massachusetts.
Scott graduated from Reading Memorial High School, and attended Boston University with a major in Journalism and a minor in Marketing. While in high school he had his photos published in The Reading Chronicle, The Boston Herald, and The Boston Globe. He broke out as a journalist at the sports desk at The Boston Herald editing news articles and columns.
Upon moving to Hollywood he started where a lot of top executives start: the Universal Studio Tour and the Warner Script Department. He then moved on to produce and edit the Hollywood Reporter’s weekly International Issue for four years. From there he moved on as a publicist with Levine/Schneider in Beverly Hills overseeing accounts of: Ariana Huffington, Barbra Streisand, Charlton Heston, Dwight Yoakam, Carrot Top, Steve Allen, Lilly Tomlin, and Dr. Joyce Brothers.
Soon followed marketing positions with Princess Cruises and Crystal Cruises; and then to participating in the origination, publicity and production of several MOVIEGUIDE(r) Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala & Report to the Entertainment Industry, and working in executive administrative support for top officers (CEO, CFO, COO, President, CIO) at The Walt Disney Company, where he spearheaded the official 2008 Oscar submission for AMPAS Sci-Tech award for the pan-studio Digital Cinema Initiative setting the worldwide standard for digital cinema exhibition.
Throughout this time his own company Dugan & Story (named after his grandmother Catherine “Gar” Story) also did publicity for film festivals like “The 168 Film Festival;” for feature films like “Clipping Adam” (Kevin Sorbo); “Midnight Reckoning” (Grant Bowler), and “The Hungry Woman;” conducted an Oscar campaign for the multiple award winning short “The Desperate,” and did public relations for veteran character actors Frank Medrano and Louis Lombardi, for upcoming female stars like Emily Grace (“What Alice Found”), Jenn Gotzon (“Frost/Nixon”) and family entertainer, Judi The Manners Lady.
He was best known for his passion and drive for turning out exceptional press releases and getting his clients headlines and TV coverage that no one else could. His passion for all aspects of filmmaking, script analysis, and his own film projects like “Click” were unequaled. Scott embraced a Christian faith and was baptized at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles where he assisted the disabled in the Special Ministries Department. He was generous in giving his time and services to help those who could give him nothing in return. When he passed, he was on his way to the funeral of tragically murdered Producer John Atterberry, for whom Scott had submitted a donated news release and composed a song in memoriam.
He shared a love of antiques with his mother, learned the family art of baking homemade bread, and was an enchanting story-teller, conversationalist, and jokester. His mischievous grin, his big blue eyes, his charismatic intensity, and his sincere generosity left an indelible impact on friends and family who will never forget the joy and laughter he brought into their lives.
Scott is survived by his parents: Karen and Terrance Dugan, his sister Jill Chapdelaine and her husband Anthony Chapdelaine, and his four brothers: Terrance Dugan and his wife Mary Ellen Dugan; Patrick Dugan and his fiancée Kate Knowles; Timothy Dugan and his wife Olivia Dugan; Daniel Dugan and his wife Kelley Dugan, and all of their families and his twenty nieces and nephews whom he adored and is dearly missed by them and his many friends and clients in the Boston area and in Los Angeles.
Calling hours will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St, in North Reading, MA. The Funeral Service will also be at Cota Funeral Home at 11:30AM on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. Burial will be in Wood End Cemetery in Reading, MA. To honor Scott’s life, please consider doing something good to help someone in need. That’s what he would have wanted.
A Special Memorial Service will be held in Los Angeles for Scott Dugan in mid-January. For upcoming details, see the “Scotty Dugan Tribute” facebook group at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/136686573110151/
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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