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Drag Race Publicist Jason Shumaker Dies at 55
20 Feb
Summary
- Jason Shumaker, a key communications executive, died at 55.
- He was instrumental in the early success of RuPaul's Drag Race.
- Shumaker also managed communications for MTV, VH1, and later worked at Google and CRH.
Jason Shumaker, a pivotal communications executive, passed away on February 16 at the age of 55. His death was attributed to complications arising from acute myeloid leukemia. Shumaker made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, notably serving as the lead publicist during the formative years of "RuPaul's Drag Race," a show that premiered in 2009 and has since flourished.
His extensive career also saw him manage communications for Viacom's prominent networks, including MTV and VH1. Shumaker oversaw publicity for major MTV events like the Video Music Awards and the MTV Movie & TV Awards. He also handled communications for various scripted and unscripted series during his tenure with MTV and VH1.
Following his time in entertainment, Shumaker transitioned to the tech sector, holding executive communications roles at Verizon and later at Google. In 2024, he moved into the building materials industry, joining CRH as its director of internal communications. He is survived by his parents, sister, brother-in-law, and three nephews.
