Simes passed away at his home in North Hollywood, California on Saturday (02May15).

A member of the Publicists Guild for 45 years, Simes began his career in Hollywood in 1961 as the Vice President of advertising/publicity for movie house chain Statewide Theaters, including the now-titled El Captain theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. He was in charge of creating movie premieres for studios such as MGM, Paramount and Warner Bros.

He later moved on to representing some of Hollywood's biggest stars including Minelli, Davis, Jr., Debbie Reynolds, Rosemary Clooney, Sonny & Cher, Dustin Hoffman, Dionne Warwick, and Henry Fonda.

He also co-anchored awards campaigns for Frank Sinatra and Lee Marvin, who won the best actor Oscar in 1965 for Cat Ballou, thanks to Simes' work.

Simes also helmed the publicity campaigns for TV shows which starred the Jackson Five, the Eagles and Ike & Tina Turner, and led publicity efforts for Bob Hope TV specials, the People's Choice Awards and DICk Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Simes semi-retired from his publicity career to open a retail flower business with his wife in Los Angeles, serving many of his former clients from studios, film and TV production companies and awards shows.