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He’s the reason why movies have rating systems, but that’s not the only thing native Houstonian Jack Valenti will be remembered for.

Valenti died Thursday at the age of 85 from complications after a stroke.

But a long-time friend of his shed some light on the amazing accomplishments of one of Houston’s own.

The photographs on Welcome Wilson’s dining room table read like the pages of a history book, each one telling part of the story of Jack Valenti, a man some call an American hero.

AP

Jack Valenti

“He knew Gorbachev, he knew the queen of England, Chirac, he knew every important official in the world,” Wilson said of his friend.

Valenti’s role on the world stage is well-documented.  He bore witness to the swearing in of Lyndon Johnson aboard Air Force One following the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

He served as LBJ’s appointment secretary and would eventually become the president of the Motion Picture Association of America – a position he would hold for close to four decades. 

Welcome and Jack first met one another at the University of Houston in 1947.  Their relationship would evolve over the year from schoolmates to business partners to life-long friends.

Valenti was the godfather of Wilson’s son – a man whom he says he could pick up the phone and call anytime.

“He was that kind.  He was that generous with his time,” Wilson said.

Valenti created the ratings system for movies and negotiated a deal allowing American films to be shown in portions of the former Soviet Union prior to the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

“Valenti was the most articulate spokesman for good that I have ever known,” Wilson said.

A voice that is now lost to all of us.

Valenti is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

His funeral will be held Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

In the coming weeks, the University of Houston plans to honor Valenti, possibly by dedicating a structure in his name.