Edwin D. Ashton ’36

Ted died June 18, 2009, in Montecito, Calif., his home since 1998.

At Princeton, Ted majored in economics, played tennis, and belonged to Whig-Clio and Terrace Club. He served in the Pacific while in the Navy.

He started his career in the motion-picture business with Warner Bros. in 1947. He became a unit publicist and worked on many of the studio’s most successful and well-known films. He later worked on films for 20th Century Fox, Paramount, MGM, and United Artists. He consorted with such luminaries as Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Jimmy Cagney, Jimmy Stewart ’32, Henry Fonda, and Ronald Reagan. He retired in 1980 after working with 30 Academy Award-winning actors and/or actresses and seven Academy Award-winning directors.  

Ted never married. His only survivor may be his sister, Dorothy, whom we have been unable to locate.

Ted had a full and happy life. He loved his work, particularly when it took him to glamorous places. During his later years, Ted had the companionship of a lady from Los Angeles who cooked very exotic meals. During most of his life, a good game of tennis was a daily event.  

We honor the life of this loyal and talented classmate.