Nick Vanoff (October 25, 1929 – March 20, 1991) was an American dancer, producer and philanthropist.
Early life
Vanoff was born in the village of Vevi, Greece[1][2][3] but grew up in Buffalo, New York.[2] He served in the United States Marine Corps,[2] and, shortly after, studied directing with Theodore Komisarjevsky in New York City.[2]
Career
Vanoff started his career as a dancer in Charles Weidman's Dance Theatre. Later, he was a lead dancer for the New York City Opera.[2][3][4] He was also a dance in the Kiss Me, Kate Broadway musical.[2][3]
Vanoff was a cue card holder on The Perry Como Show and later became its associate producer.[2][3] Together with William O. Harbach, he co-produced The Tonight Show, when Steve Allen was the host.[2][3] Additionally, he created and produced the Kennedy Center Honors.[4] In the 1960s, he produced more than ten hours of television every week, including shows with Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Don Knotts, Milton Berle and Sonny and Cher.[2][3] A few decades later, in 1985, he produced the film Eleni.[2][3]
Vanoff won a Tony Award for Best Musical in 1990 for his production of the City of Angels musical on Broadway.[2][3] Additionally, he won five Emmy Awards as a producer for: The Julie Andrews Hour in 1973, The Kennedy Center Honors in 1984, 1987 and 1989, and Julie Andrews's special, The Sound of Christmas, in 1988.[2][3] In 1990, he was named Showman of the Year by the Publicists Guild of America (which later merged into the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees).[2][3]
Vanoff was a founding director of the Foundation for the Joffrey Ballet.[2][3] He also sat on the board of directors of the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.[3]
Personal life
Vanoff was married to Felisa Vanoff (1925-2014).[3][4] They had two sons, Nicholas and Flavio.[2][3][4] They resided in Beverly Hills, California.[4]
Death
Vanoff died of cardiac arrest at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, aged 61.[2][3][5] His funeral was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, California.[2]
References
- ^ "Vevi", Wikipedia, 2021-02-11, retrieved 2021-04-12
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Eleanor Blau, Nick Vanoff, 61, Former Dancer Who Became Successful Producer, The New York Times, March 22, 1991.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Myrna Oliver, Nick Vanoff, 61; Producer Won Tony, Five Emmys, The Los Angeles Times, March 22, 1991.
- ^ a b c d e Felisa Vanoff, Former Dancer and Choreographer, Dies at 89, The Hollywood Reporter, June 9, 2014.
- ^ imdb biography
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