# The Philanthropist’s Tale: The Life of Laurie Marsh

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/books/philanthropists-tale-life-laurie-marsh/
- Published: 2016-06-20T12:46:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Philanthropist’s Tale, published by Urbane Publications, tells Laurie Marsh’s
rags-to-riches story. His career includes persuading Disney to license their characters
outside the USA and convincing film stars to perform in low budget movies (his company
Tigon produced 75+ films).**

He has also developed and operated hotels, theatres, a 150-screen cinema chain and
founded an international film distribution company. His passion for film production
is visible in his support of London’s very own Cinema Museum, the venue for the 
fundraiser and book launch in October 2016.

Author Laurie Marsh’s profits from the sale of The Philanthropist’s Tale will be
divided between the organisations he supports via his family’s charity including
Medecins Sans Frontiers, Water Aid, The British Humanist Association, The Cinema
Museum and Population Matters.

He has also gifted hundreds of copies to charities to send to their biggest donors,
to give ‘something back’ but also with the goal of encouraging further donations
and support.

Laurie Marsh is one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs but you’ve never
heard of him until now. Here for the first time is the incredible tale of one of
the world’s leading philanthropists; from the streets of Lambeth to glamour of LA,
it’s a compelling true story of rags to riches, and sharing those riches with others.

From persuading Disney to license their characters for the first time outside the
USA, to convincing film stars to perform in low budget movies, Laurie has carved
success from his confident, entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to life.

And much of his success has been shared, his philanthropic work reaching the levels
of far more public ‘givers’ such as Bill Gates.

Now in his eighties, Laurie still works every day, using his wealth and influence
to help as many good causes and charitable organisations as he can, from building
community centres to advising the government on how to make the NHS self-sufficient.
It’s an inspirational and fascinating story of entrepreneurial success, and commitment
deserving causes.

> I'm hosting a fundraising event at London's Cinema Museum, one of the many organisations
> I've supported over the years, on October 4th.
> — Laurie Marsh (@LaurieMarshTPT) [September 8, 2016](https://twitter.com/LaurieMarshTPT/status/773805522730491904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [@SouthwarkMayor](https://twitter.com/SouthwarkMayor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) lovely
> to meet you both this evening [@LaurieMarshTPT](https://twitter.com/LaurieMarshTPT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> book launch! Thank you for joining us! [pic.twitter.com/0Qb7yS0vg8](https://t.co/0Qb7yS0vg8)
> — LitPR & Marketing For Authors (@literallypr) [October 4, 2016](https://twitter.com/literallypr/status/783433867982172160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Laurie Marsh died in September 2021. [The Cinema Museum paid tribute to him](http://www.cinemamuseum.org.uk/2021/laurie-marsh/)
for his support:

> “The Trustees, volunteers and all connected with The Cinema Museum are very sad
> to hear that our good friend and kind benefactor Laurie Marsh has died just weeks
> short of his 91st birthday.”

## Reviews

“There are many successful entrepreneurs in the world, but few that genuinely share
that success to help others. From clothing manufacturer to property magnate, movie
producer to champion of charity, Laurie’s tale will astonish, entertain, amaze and
inspire as he ultimately reveals the true secret of success – that the only challenge
we ever need is the next one”.
**Lord Brian Rix of Whitehall**

“A humanist in word and deed, Laurie’s sustained generosity through his charitable
efforts provides an inspiration for those who seek to make a difference from an 
entrepreneur’s standpoint. What better crowning achievement to a lifetime of business
success than to let the fruits of that success be shared with so many people less
fortunate.” **Andrew Copson**, Chief Executive, British Humanist Association