Jeffrey Ressner, a journalist who once covered Hollywood for Politico, has died from complications of heart disease, specifically, a heart arrhythmia, at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 56. Variety reports that he is survived by his longtime companion, Rina Echavez; sister Lise Olson; and stepmother, Roz Ressner.
The Hollywood Reporter, where he worked, says he was well known in the Hollywood media scene, having also written for Cash Box, Rolling Stone, L.A. Weekly, Us Weekly and TIME. At Politico, he was based in Los Angeles and covered the nexus of Hollywood and Washington. He worked for Politico after 14 years at TIME.
Ressner graduated from Northwestern University. He was all old school journalism — working his way up, according to his Politico bio, from a messenger and typesetter to a contributor.
Among other interesting claims to fame, he wrote an underground newspaper that was banned from school property.
The Hollywood Reporter, as well as that Politico bio which The Hollywood Reporter basically copied for its obit, indicates he liked to “kick back” and watch The McLaughlin Group.
Rather than give you The Hollywood Reporter‘s mimicked copy, here’s the full Politico bio.