Legendary Marketing Exec Behind 'Alien,' 'This Is Spinal Tap,' and the Original 'Star Wars' Dead at 86

David Weitzner, the Hollywood marketing powerhouse who crafted campaigns for some of the most iconic films in history, including Star Wars, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Alien, andThis Is Spinal Tap, has died at the age of 86, it has been confirmed today. Weitzner passed away on September 1 at his home in Calabasas, according to the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he spent decades teaching the popular Business of Entertainment class as an adjunct professor.