After succumbing to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Sue Barton, a well-known publicist for Columbia Pictures, has passed away at 79 in Monterey, California.

Barton died on Jan. 5, producer Carolyn Pfeiffer revealed. The publicist also worked with giants Metro Goldwyn Meyer, Universal Pictures, and for Robert Altman.

Barton first worked for Columbia Pictures in 1975 when she was the national director of publicity. She then took on the role of vice president for publicity and promotion, East Coast. The marketing veteran was also credited with some award-winning movie, including Gandhi and Tootsie.

Tootsie is a 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman. The movie revolved around Hoffman's character, Michael Dorsey, who was a meticulous actor. To get projects in Hollywood, he would dress up as a woman. The much-acclaimed film got an Academy Award win for best supporting actress.

Barton then transferred to Universal Pictures as a marketing official and then to MGM. Finally, she went home to Columbia Pictures where she was senior vice president for marketing, East Coast in the 90s.

Early Life

Barton was born in Butte, Montana on Nov. 26, 1938. She was an only child and mostly grew up in a forest-loving environment, fittingly as her dad was a forest ranger. She spent her childhood in national parks which could explain her fondness for animals.

In 1945, her family moved to California and 15 years after, Barton started her modeling stint. It was in the 70s when she moved to London to work as a PR agent under Pfeiffer's firm. She went on to work with big names in the industry. Some of these were Robert Redford, Jane Seymour, Ian McShane, Hoffman, and Norman Jewison.

She worked with Altman in his company and was later cast for a cameo in Nashville, where she played, of course, herself with the same job.

Barton got married to Richard Gregson, a producer, and then to Billy Kirkland. She worked on the Shambala Preserve, a 72-acre animal sanctuary, operated by actress Tippi Hedren.

A memorial service to commemorate and celebrate her life will take place in April.

Columbia Pictures' Movie

Meanwhile, Columbia Pictures is co-producing Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. It is slated for a July 13 release and will follow Drac as he went to have a vacation on a cruise ship. Mavis, Drac's daughter, funded the getaway. It is all fun and games until Drac falls in love with the captain, Ericka, who secretly has a plan to eliminate monsters.

Tags: Sue Barton Columbia Pictures MGM Studios Universal Pictures