Jeffrey Ballard is dead: The veteran Hollywood publicist for Charlie Sheen, Paula Abdul and many others was 64

Jeffrey Ballard, the veteran Hollywood publicist who founded Jeff Ballard Public Relations and represented many of the industry’s top talent, has died after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 64.

His death on Jan. 30 at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center was confirmed by Brad Bessey, spokesman for Project Angel Food, an organization that supported Ballard throughout his life.

Over the course of a four-decade career, he represented Charlie Sheen (during both of Sheen’s Oscar campaigns for Train And Wall Street), Johnny Depp, Rob Lowe, Zac Efron, Martin Sheen, Paula Abdul, Matthew Perry, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jared Leto, Betty Buckley, Cary Elwes, Rob Gronkowski, Kristy McNichol, Christopher Atkins, Willie Aames and many others.

In a statement to Deadline, Sheen said: “As my publicist of 37 years, it’s no secret that he has his work cut out for him. He has taken every challenge with class and patience. As my dear friend of 40 years, he has been equal parts loyal and generous. Bon voyage JB, you will be greatly missed now and forever.”

Ballard began his career as a teenager when he “crashed” the television classic as a high school journalism student. Eight is enough signed its first two clients on the spot – Adam Rich and Dick Van Patten. Ballard remained involved with the company he founded until his death, working with two dozen active clients.

Once dubbed the “Boy Publicist to the Stars” by Steve Edwards, a veteran LA journalist, Ballard opened Jeff Ballard PR in 1982, shortly after graduating from high school. He later said that one of his fondest memories was the many hours he spent in the White House with Nancy Regan, who was actively involved in her formative 1980s anti-drug initiative, Just Say No.

Actor Lori Loughlin, an old friend of Ballard’s who often visited him in the hospital during his last days, said: “Jeff was a good friend and could always cheer you up with his quirky sense of humor, which he even used in his kept darkest hours. . Jeff was grateful for his blessed life, the many friends he made along the way and the opportunities he was given. I miss him very much.”

Paula Abdul wrote on Instagram: “There are no words to describe the very special friendship Jeff and I have had over the past 4 decades. We were teenagers when we met and forged an admiration for each other as people and professionals that has lasted from my Laker Girls days to this day. We worked together, played together and knew we were always there for each other. The word love barely describes my feelings for Jeff and the compassion I had for all he went through, but I really loved him so much. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. His long suffering is now over and I pray that he will rest in peace forever.”