Howard Bragman—a gay publicist whose clients included Sharon Osbourne and Stevie Wonder, among many others—died at age 66 after privately battling acute monocytic leukemia, Deadline reported.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Bragman was a vice-president in the Chicago (after moving to the Windy City in 1978, per a Windy City Times article) and Los Angeles offices of Burson-Marsteller, then co-founded Bragman Nyman Cafarelli in 1989. Eventually, he established the LA-based Fifteen Minutes, a media and public relations agency and wrote a book (published in 2009) entitled Where's My Fifteen Minutes?
An LGBTQ+-rights activist and longtime community supporter, he advised several celebrities as a "coming out" counselor, including actress Meredith Baxter, country-music artist Chely Wright, and NFL players Michael Sam and Esera Tuaolo.
Windy City Times received a statement from GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. She said, "Howard Bragman was an industry leader who masterfully used the power of the press to create positive change and visibility for LGBTQ people. Throughout his long career, he worked with many LGBTQ notables to ensure their coming out stories were treated with dignity and created impact for the entire community. His own visibility as an out executive, paired with a trademark humor and bold approach to public relations, made unforgettable marks on media, entertainment, and public relations industries."
Bragman's husband, Mike Maimone, posted on Facebook that Bragman "will be laid to rest in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, in a private ceremony later this week, and plans are underway for a memorial service in Los Angeles at a later date."
Maimone added, "To those who knew him best, Howard was a true and steadfast friend, a larger-than-life personality, and a constant source of joy and laughter. His memory will be celebrated with a smile and a commitment to activism."
