Michael Gerety Dies: Former MGM Exec, Publicist For Julie Andrews & James Garner Was 82

Michael Gerety, a former MGM executive and publicist for Julie Andrews, James Garner and others who also served as president of Newslink Corp, died January 13 in Los Angeles. He was 82. A family friend confirmed the news to Deadline.

Gerety joined MGM in 1965 as a regional advertising publicity representative, working in Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas. He left MGM briefly to join Durwood Theaters as district manager as the chain began its national expansion, with Durwood ultimately becoming AMC.

Gerety returned to MGM a year later and transferred to Culver City studios in 1972, remaining there through the merger with United Artists. When the MGM theatrical distribution arm was dissolved, he joined American International Pictures.

In 1981, Gerety was named president of Newslink Corp., the industry’s first online video text news service, which revolutionized the way entertainment news was gathered and disseminated instantly. 

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Four years later, he joined Beverly Hills-based Hanson & Schwam Public Relations, eventually rising to EVP. During his tenure there, Gerety worked closely with clients including Andrews, Garner, Chuck Norris, Lionel Chetwynd, Gary Coleman, Dean Hargrove and many others.

He operated independently under his own MGPR label from 1999-2004.

Born on October 30, 1942, Gerety was raised on New York’s Long Island. He served in the Navy at NATO headquarters for the armed forces in Southern Europe in Naples, Italy.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Patrick and Katherine; grandchildren Westley and Faye; and siblings Sheila and David.