Billy Rose
Billy Rose, originally named William Samuel Rosenberg, was born on September 6, 1899, in the Bronx, New York. He emerged as a prominent American impresario, theatrical show producer, and lyricist, known for his significant contributions to Broadway and popular music. Rose's career began during World War I as a stenographic clerk for Bernard Baruch of the War Industries Board. After the war, he transitioned into songwriting, collaborating on notable songs such as "Me and My Shadow" and "It's Only a Paper Moon."
Rose's Broadway career flourished with productions like "Crazy Quilt" (1931), "Jumbo" (1935), and "Carmen Jones" (1943). He also founded entertainment venues such as the Billy Rose Music Hall and The Diamond Horseshoe. His production "Aquacade" in 1937 showcased Olympic swimmers and entertainers, further cementing his reputation in the entertainment industry.
In his personal life, Rose was married several times, including to the famous entertainer Fanny Brice from 1929 to 1938. He later married Olympic swimmer Eleanor Holm in 1939, with whom he had a highly publicized marriage and divorce. His final marriage was to Doris Vidor in 1964.
Beyond his theatrical endeavors, Rose was known for his astute investments in real estate and the stock market, as well as his philanthropy. He endowed the Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the New York Public Library, leaving a lasting legacy to theatre scholarship.
Billy Rose passed away on February 10, 1966, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the age of 66. His influence in the world of entertainment continues to be recognized, and he was posthumously inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1970.
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