Tom Estey Courtesy of the Estey Family Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Tom Estey, the veteran entertainment publicist and Nanci Ryder protégé whose clients included Richard Simmons, Matthew Perry, Anita Baker, William Hurt and Sheryl Lee Ralph, died Jan. 3 after suffering an unexpected cardiac event, his family announced. He was 61. While writing for a newspaper in the Boston area, Estey interviewed actress-singer Gloria Loring, whose duet with Carl Anderson, "Friends & Lovers," reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. The experience sparked in him an interest in publicity and promotion, and he moved to Los Angeles to work under Ryder at BWR Public Relations. He spent eight years there before launching his boutique agency, Tom Estey Publicity and Promotion, in May 1997. Related Stories Music John Forté, Grammy-Nominated Fugees Collaborator, Dies at 50 Movies Thomas Causey, Sound Mixer on 'Dick Tracy,' 'Broadcast News' and 'Defending Your Life,' Dies at 76 Ryder, who died at age 67 in June 2020 after a long battle with ALS, called Estey "a gifted, instinctive and committed PR strategist." One of three sons of Ann and Otis Estey Jr., Thomas James Estey was born in 1964 in Brockton, Massachusetts. He earned a master's degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1986 before heading to L.A. He went on to rep Loring as well as Annie Lennox, Jay Thomas, Lela Rochon, Oleta Adams, Robin Quivers, Jody Watley, Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Marilyn Scott, Dianne Reeves and Phyllis Hyman, just to name a few. "For me, each client is an adventure and a new lesson to be learned," he said. Survivors include his son, Tyler, his brothers, Ed and Stephen, and his nephew, Joe. Funeral services are private. "Tom was widely admired for his warmth, humor and infectious personality," his family said. "He brought that same generosity of spirit and care to every relationship and was as passionate about the people he worked with as the work itself. "His influence was felt not just in headlines and placements, but in the careers he helped shape and the confidence he helped instill." Chris Gardner contributed to this report. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Production News Los Angeles Film and TV Shoot Days Hit New Lows In 2025 Podcast Industry How 'My Favorite Murder' Killed It - Without Ever Selling Out DDA DDA Taps Matt Andrée Wiltens, Ryan Smith for Key Roles in U.S. Expansion Holywater Holywater Raises $22 Million in Financing Amid Microdramas Arms Race THR, Esq Paramount Loses Bid to Fast Track Warner Bros. Discovery Disclosures on Netflix Deal Timothy Busfield Timothy Busfield's Talent Agency Drops Him Amid Child Sex Abuse Allegations Production News Los Angeles Film and TV Shoot Days Hit New Lows In 2025 Podcast Industry How 'My Favorite Murder' Killed It - Without Ever Selling Out DDA DDA Taps Matt Andrée Wiltens, Ryan Smith for Key Roles in U.S. Expansion Holywater Holywater Raises $22 Million in Financing Amid Microdramas Arms Race THR, Esq Paramount Loses Bid to Fast Track Warner Bros. Discovery Disclosures on Netflix Deal Timothy Busfield Timothy Busfield's Talent Agency Drops Him Amid Child Sex Abuse Allegations