Vincent Sardi Jr., the owner of a landmark New York City restaurant, died on Jan. 4 of complications related to a urinary tract infection. He was 91.
The native New Yorker was the son of Vincent Sardi Sr., an Italian immigrant who opened Sardi's in 1921. The eponymous eatery, which is currently located on 44th Street in the heart of Manhattan's theater district, became a magnet for celebrities before World War II. Sardi Jr. served in the Marines during the war, and took over the business in 1947.
For the next five decades, Sardi's was a popular hotspot for Hollywood legends and Broadway stars to celebrate their opening nights, conduct interviews with the press and seal deals for future roles. Patrons from all over the world also visited the venerated establishment to eat Sardi's famous baked Alaska and to view the more than 1,300 celebrity caricatures that appear on the restaurant's walls.
Sardi donated 227 caricatures dating from the late 1920s through the early 1950s to the Billy Rose Theatre Collection of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in 1979. Over 275 caricatures were also published in the book, "Off the Wall at Sardi's."
Sardi sold his world-famous restaurant in 1985 to two producers from Detroit, Ivan Bloch and Harvey Klaris, and the restaurateur Stuart Lichtenstein. But when the owners declared bankruptcy and closed the place in 1990, Sardi bought it back and reopened it a year later. The new Sardi's featured a renovated dining area and a new menu. He retired in 1997; his grandson, Sean Ricketts, now manages the place.
During his tenure as owner of Sardi's, Vincent tried to attend every opening night on Broadway and encouraged his staff to do the same. He ran tabs for out-of-work actors and offered a low-priced menu for members of Actors' Equity, the Screen Actors Guild or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The theatre community paid back his generosity in 2004 by giving Sardi a Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre. To pay further homage to the unofficial "mayor of Broadway," theatres on the Great White Way dimmed their marquee lights on Jan. 5 for one minute.
Posted on January 9, 2007 4:11 AMThanks Vincent for bringing back "Sardi's" after a disastrous closing in 1990..I first started going to Sardi's in the early '70's at the "Little Bar" just to the right of the front door..bought a drink for Blossom Dearie there !!.
In the 80's, Sardi upstairs was my favorite stop on the way to the bus Terminal and New Jersey..and many a time Vincent would be there upstairs in his calvary boots in the window corner holding court with anyone and everyone..thanks for the memories, Vince..God Bless
Remy Whitehouse
Gainesville, FL
This is in tribute to Vinnie and his great restaurant. The food is tremendous and the people who frequent the back room are salt of the earth. The prices are high but at least the mens room is clean and the waiters are professionals. A tip of the hat to this famous eatery and heres hope that the hobos who panhandle the patrons will move elsewhere.
Posted by Geoffrey Brandner on January 27, 2007 2:08 PMI worked at Sardi's for 5 years as Payroll Manager seeing Mr. Sardi daily...he was a true gentleman and a wonderful person. His star will shine over Broadway forever.
Posted by Don Cianciaruso on December 19, 2007 3:54 PMI met Vincent Sardi in the early 1970's through a mutual friend, Illa Howe. She and I were in an Off-Off Broadway show together. Vincent and I became friends and would on occassion go out to clubs after he closed Sardi's for the night. As a struggling actor being with Vincent made me feel like I mattered in New York City. As a friend he was genuine, loyal and generous. I always tried to pay my own way when we were out and sometimes he would let me but most of the time, wherever we went it was always on the house. When I moved to California in November of 1974, thanks to Vincent, I stayed my first year in the guest house at actor Ralph Meeker and wife Coleen's home in Sun Valley. We stayed in touch by phone and Christmas cards.
Then in the early 1980's I was planning to marry Deb Kurtz who was born and raised in New York City and whose Mother worked for an entertainment lawyer. I asked Vincent if we could get married upstairs at Sardi's. He not only said yes but honored me by being my best man and as I recall would not let us pay for anything including the small reception afterwards. I did however over tip the help. I still have the last letter I recieved from Vincent in the 1990's. Although we had not communicated for a number of years he was always in my thoughts and heart.
I consider myself a very lucky man indeed for having known and shared part of my life with him.
Thank you Vincent for being such a bright light in my life.
My Love is with you.
Rick
Richard VanDervort Partlow,