Jack Valenti, the former White House staffer who became the long-time face of the film industry in Washington, died Thursday. He was 85. Valenti headed the Motion Picture Association of America, based in Encino, for nearly 40 years. He oversaw the creation of the motion picture ratings system and fought against pirating of feature films. MPAA Chairman and CEO Dan Glickman called Valenti a giant who loomed over the glittering stages of Washington and Hollywood. “He embodied the theatricality of our industry with his conviction, quick wit and boundless energy,” Glickman said. “In a very real sense, he was the ultimate leading man.” Prior to helming the MPAA, Valenti was an aide to President Lyndon Johnson. Valenti had been hospitalized from a stroke at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center in Baltimore.
