Bernard Delfont

Who was Bernard Delfont?

Bernard Delfont, Baron Delfont, born Boris Winogradsky, was a leading Russian-born British theatrical impresario.

He was born in Tokmak, Russian Empire, the second son of Isaac and Olga Winogradsky. His brothers Lew Grade and Leslie Grade also entered showbusiness. His nephew Michael Grade, Leslie's son, has had a career in the television and film industries.

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 Me, Stop the World - I Want to Get Off, 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 EMI, 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.