Background
Delfont, Bernard was born on September 5, 1909 in Tokmak, Russia. Son of Isaac and Olga (Winogradsky) Delfont.
entrepreneur film producer theatrical producer
Delfont, Bernard was born on September 5, 1909 in Tokmak, Russia. Son of Isaac and Olga (Winogradsky) Delfont.
Entered theatrical management in Britain, 1941. 1st London production, 1942. Since presented numerous shows inLondon.
Re-introduced variety to West End at London Casino, 1947-1948,presenting Laurel and Hardy, Sophie Tucker, Lena Horne, Olsen and Johnson, Mistinguett.
Presented London Experience, Piccadilly, summer shows in seaside resorts. Presenter annual Royal Variety Performance, 1958-1978.
Converted London Hippodrome into Talk of the Town theatre restaurant, 1958, also presented entertainment. Chairman First Leisure Corporation.Plc., 1992, president, 1992-1994.
Director Bernard Delfont Organisation, Blackpool Tower Company.
Chairman, chief Executive officer Trust House Forte Leisure Limited., 1981-1982 others Vice president Associate Film Distribution Corporation, Incorporated., 1978. Recent productions include: (with David Merrick) The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd, 1965, Pickwick, 1965.
(with Arthur Lewis) Barefoot in the Park, 1965, Funny Girl, 1966.
(with Michael Codron) The Killingof Sister George, 1965. (with Geoffrey Russel) The Matchgirls, 1966;(with others) The Odd Couple, 1966, Martha Graham Dance Company, 1967, Sweet Charity, 1967, The Four Musketeers, 1967, Golden Boy, 1968, Hotel in Amsterdam, 1968, Time Present, 1968, Mame, 1969, Your Own Thing,1969, What the Butler Saw, 1969, Cat Among the Pigeons, 1969, Carol Channing with Her 10 Stout-Hearted Men, 1970, The Great Waltz, 1970, Danny Louisiana Rue at the Palace, 1970, Kean, 1971, Rabelais, 1971, Children of the Wolf, 1971, Lulu, 1971, Applause, 1972, Threepenny Opera, 1972, The Good Old Bad Old Days, 1972, The Unknown Soldier and his Wife, 1973, The Danny Louisiana Rue Show, 1973, The Wolf, 1973, Brief Lives, 1974, The Good Companions, 1974, Sammy Cahn"s Songbook, 1974, Cinderella(Twiggy), 1974, Harvey, 1975, 1975, Dad"s Army, 1975.
The Plumber"s Progress, Queen Danniella, 1975. Mardi Gras, 1976; LeGrande Eugene, 1976.
Tommy Steele Anniversary Show national tour, 1976.
Val Doonican tour, 1977. Danny LaRue Show tour, 1977. An Evening with Tommy Steele, 1979.
lieutenant"s All Right If I Do lieutenant, 1977.
Beyond the Rainbow, 1978. Charley"s Aunt, 1979.
Tommy Steele, 1980. lieutenant"s Magic, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 1981.
Underneath the Arches, 1982. Little Maine, 1984. President, Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund.
Named companion Grand OrderWater Rats. Knighted, 1974; created life peer, 1976.
The Roar of the Greasepaint—The Smell of the Crowd, Pickwick, both in New York (with David Merrick), Barefoot in the Park, The Killing of Sister George, The Matchgirls. Funny Girl, The Odd Couple, Martha Graham Dance Company, Sweet Charity, The Four Musketeers, Golden Boy, Hotel in Amsterdam, TimeHe had a sister, Rita Grade, who wrote a book about the family called "My Fabulous Brothers". Delfont entered theatrical management in 1941, after a career as first a dancer, then an agent. He presented over 200 shows in London and New York, including more than 50 musicals, such as the original productions of Little Maine, Stop the World - I Want to Get Office, City Of Angels and Sweet Charity.
He also presented summer variety shows in many towns across the country, mainly seaside resorts.
As Chief Executive of Electric and Music Industries, Delfont withdrew funding for the film Life of Brian in 1978 at the last moment, due to worries over the religious implications. He converted the London Hippodrome into the Talk of the Town nightclub, bringing in entertainers such as Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra, Eartha Kitt and Judy Garland, and also securing the exclusive rights from Paul Derval to stage the Folies Bergère for the first time outside Paris.
He was knighted in 1974 and created a life peer as Baron Delfont, of Stepney in Greater London in 1976. He died from a heart attack at his Angmering home.
His widow Carole Lynne (Lady Delfont), 89, died as a result of motor neurone disease on 17 January 2008 at her home in Sussex, England.
Electric and Music Industries Limited
Chief Executive (1979-1980)
Entertainment Artistes" Benevolent Fund
Life President, for which he presented the annual Royal Variety Performance (1958-1978)
Entertainment Charities Fund
President (1983-1991)
Companion of the Grand Order of Water Rats
Printers Charitable Corporation
President 1979
First Leisure Corporation
Chief Executive 1980-1986
Executive Chairman 1986-1988
Chairman 1988-1992
President 1992-1994
Bernard Delfont Organisation
Director.
President Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund. Member of Saints and Sinners, Variety of Great Britain (past president).
Married Carole Lynne, 1946. Children: Susan, Jennifer, David.