Jody Frisch, a seasoned communications leader with extensive experience in both the entertainment and public relations industries, died Aug. 21 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from pancreatic cancer. She was 68.
Frisch’s distinguished career has spanned several key roles at prominent organizations, including the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA. Between 2006 and 2009, he was a notable contributor during the WGA’s significant 100-day strike, serving as Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs in both Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. In 2015, he assumed the role of Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at SAG-AFTRA.
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Frisch graduated in 1973 from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys. She later moved to Washington, D.C. to further her expertise in politics and the legislative process. Throughout her career, Frisch has excelled in media campaigns, crisis management, and public policy advocacy.
Early in her career, Frisch worked with theater producer Cameron Mackintosh, promoting such well-known stage productions as “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Miss Saigon.” During the 1990s, she was associated with Craig Anderson Productions and also served as a personal representative for “Family Ties” star Meredith Baxter Birney during the 1980s and 1990s.
Frisch’s career path has also included significant contributions to Planned Parenthood, BGR Group, the National Foreign Trade Council, and she served as National Director of Public Affairs for the American Humane Association during her time in Washington.
An avid animal lover and women’s rights advocate, Frisch’s life, beyond her professional endeavors, was marked by her commitment to these causes. Plans are underway for a memorial service to honor her legacy and contributions.
