Florenz Ziegfeld

Florenz Ziegfeld (March 21, 1869–July 22, 1932) was a Broadway impresario who achieved fame by perfecting the United States revue. He is best known for his series of theatrical spectaculars the Ziegfeld Follies, based on the Folies Bergères of Paris.

Related Topics:
March 21 - 1869 - July 22 - 1932 - Broadway - Impresario - United States - Revue - Ziegfeld Follies - Folies Bergères - Paris

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His first foray into the world of entertainment was at the 1893 Chicago World Columbian Exposition where he managed the famous strongman, Sandow.

Related Topics:
1893 - World Columbian Exposition

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His stage spectaculars, beginning with his Follies of 1907, were produced annually until 1931. These extravaganzas featured a bevy of beauties chosen personally by "Flo" Ziegfeld, and featured prominent composers such as Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern, and elaborate costumes and sets.

Related Topics:
1907 - 1931 - Irving Berlin - Jerome Kern

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His promotion of the Polish-born Anna Held as a Parisian beauty, with press releases about her milk baths brought her fame and set a pattern of star making through publicity. Ziegfeld never married Anna, but they maintained a common-law relationship (which one would have assumed was outrageously scandalous in that day and age) which ended in 1913, allegedly solely because he moved his mistress into an apartment one floor up from theirs.

Related Topics:
Anna Held - 1913

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The Follies launched the careers of Fanny Brice, W. C. Fields, and Eddie Cantor. Ziegfeld married the eminently respectable stage and screen actress Billie Burke, in 1914, and they had a daughter, Patricia.

Related Topics:
Fanny Brice - W. C. Fields - Eddie Cantor - Billie Burke - 1914

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Ziegfeld produced other landmark productions as well, including Show Boat. Although he recognized its artistic value, he was terrified Show Boat would fail because of its unusually dramatic storyline. On opening night, the audience (according to an eyewitness) barely applauded, but it was not because they disliked the show, but because they were so taken aback by it. It was a great success, and by 1932, after Ziegfeld had lost much of his money in the stock market crash, he decided to stage a revival of "Show Boat". It became the biggest grosser on Broadway, until the Great Depression affected its run.

Related Topics:
Show Boat - 1932 - Stock market crash - Great Depression

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On his passing at the age of 63, Florenz ("Flo") Ziegfeld was interred in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, Westchester Co., New York.

Related Topics:
Kensico Cemetery - Valhalla - Westchester Co., New York

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