No one can navigate the difficulties of life alone. We all need someone to support us and make our lives a little easier. One person who did the same for Hollywood stars was publicist, Nanci Ryder. Co-founder of BWR Public Relations, Nanci is no more. On Thursday, she passed away at the age of 67 after suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Many Hollywood stars such as Renée Zellweger and Courtney Cox were close to her. In 2014, she got diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) which claimed her ability to walk, talk eat and move gradually. Publicist, Lynda Dorf made the news of her death public.
A revered figure among her clients such as Viggo Mortensen, Michael J Fox, Reese Witherspoon and Reneé Zellweger, Nanci became close friends with each one of them. Zellweger even thanked her during her Oscar winning acceptance speech for ‘Judy’. Reese Witherspoon fondly called her ‘second mother’.
She was born in Orlando, Florida and in a career spanning over 30 years, Nanci helped many A-list celebrities in their interviews and helped them forge their careers. A student of psychology and anthropology, She landed her first job as a talent agent at David Shapira & Associates. In 1984, she formed her own company Nanci Ryder Public Relations with Michael J fox as her first client.
Nanci took a major step in her career in 1987. She founded BWR Public Relations with Paul Baker and Larry Winokur. The company soon had clients such as Robert Downey Jr, Sarah Jessica Parker, Leonardo DiCaprio, Helen Hunt, Woody Harrelson, Paul Reiser and Paul Rodriguez.
Her efforts in activism and fundraising fetched her awards from the Publicists Guild, The ALS Association and The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. In her fight to find a cure for ALS she raised $820,000.
For her fight with ALS, in 2018 she got the ALS Hero Award. Her acceptance speech was given by her best friend on her behalf. In her speech she wrote –
“I never intended to be courageous or inspirational, but according to this award apparently I am. So I ask you all today to promise me that no matter what that you will never, ever give up. That is another thing that ALS cannot take away our will to keep going.”
In her life apart from ALS she also had to suffer with Breast Cancer in 2000. Though she defeated it in one year.
Nanci has not left any children behind her as she married once and divorced in her 20s. She hasn’t left any siblings or relatives too. Though her dogs Oreo and Manolo and cats, Pants, Thelma and Fluffy who she adored are left behind by her.