Hollywood publicist John Blanchette dies at 68

Hollywood publicist John Blanchette has died at the age of 68. Blanchette passed away on 4 March (14) in Santa Monica, California, following a brief battle with blood condition myelodysplastic syndrome.
Over the years, he represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Debbie Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine, Halle Berry, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bryan Cranston.
He also served as actress Zsa Zsa Gabor’s publicist for 30 years, and most notably in 2012, updated media outlets about her condition after she was hospitalised with high-blood pressure following the death of her friend and neighbour Elizabeth Taylor.
Blanchette, who was also the owner and president of his own PR firm, Blanchette & Associates Public Relations, also did film publicity for movies such as Il Postino: The Postman, Shine, L.A. Confidential, Argo and Behind the Candelabra.