Michael Barnett Druxman

1941-2025

Michael B. Druxman passed away peacefully on the morning of September 28, 2025, in Santa Clarita, CA. He was a husband, father, stepfather, and an inspiration to many. He was also a Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include Cheyenne Warrior, Dillinger and Capone, and The Doorway, which he also directed.

A native of Seattle, Michael moved to Los Angeles in 1963 to pursue his dream of a career in the film industry. He became a Hollywood publicist, representing film and television stars, directors, producers, and composers. One of his Academy Award campaigns is often mentioned in books dealing with Hollywood history.

After 35 years, he retired to pursue his passion as a writer.

He was a prolific playwright. He wrote one-person plays about many Hollywood stars including Al Jolson, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Orson Wells, Spencer Tracy, and about 30 more. He also wrote several multi-person plays about various Hollywood scandals, collectively published under the title The Hollywood Legends. He was an acknowledged Hollywood historian.

Michael was the author of more than 15 published books, including non-fiction works about Hollywood, its movies, and the people who make them. He also wrote 5 novels, collections of short stories, and co-authored a non-fiction book about the true facts behind the murder of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel.

In addition to being the author of How to Write a Story…Any Story: The Art of Storytelling, used as a text book in several colleges, Michael taught dramatic writing and film appreciation courses at an adult university.

His memoirs, My Forty-Five Years in Hollywood and How I Escaped Alive, and Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Hollywood are published by Bear Manor Media.

In 2009, Michael and his wife, Sandy, moved to Austin, TX. In 2025 they relocated to Santa Clarita, CA.

Michael is survived by his wife, Sandra and son David, currently residing in Austin, TX.

Memorial/Funeral service:

2:00 PM, Sunday, October 12, 2025

Hillside Memorial Park

6001 W. Centinela Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90045