Bernard Delfont

Bernard Delfont, Baron Delfont (born Boris Isaakovich Winogradsky, ; 5 September 1909 [ O.S. 18 September 1909] – 28 July 1994) was a Russian-born British theatrical impresario and media proprietor. He was the brother of fellow impresarios Lew and Leslie Grade, and was a prominent figure in British entertainment during the 20th-century.

Life and career

Early years Delfont was born in Tokmak, Berdyansky Uyezd, Taurida Governorate, Russian Empire (present-day Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine), the second son of Jewish parents Isaac and Olga Winogradsky. His brothers, Lew Grade (born Lev Winogradsky) and Leslie Grade (Laszlo Winogradsky), also entered show business and formed the Grade Organisation. Their sister, Rita Grade, later wrote a book about the family called My Fabulous Brothers: The Story of the Grade Family.

In 1912, the family moved to the East End of London and at age 12, Delfont left school and followed Lew into music halls and changed his name to Delfont to avoid confusion with his brother, forming a dance partnership with comic Hal Monty called The Delfont Boys. He entered theatrical management in 1949 and acquired theatres in the West End of London.

Television In 1950, he became stage producer for a BBC summer variety show Carefree and soon after the launch of ITV, the variety show Bernard Delfont Presents was produced by Lew's Associated Television, which ran from 1956 to 1958. From 1959 to 1962, Bernard Delfont's Sunday Show was broadcast. When Leslie fell ill, Delfont was asked to help out at the Grade Organisation. Delfont was also part of the decision to move into film distribution in the USA, with disastrous consequences for EMI Films. He later became Chief Executive of EMI in 1979.

In 1980, following the sale of EMI's leisure interests to Trust House Forte, he became chief executive of THF Leisure Division. In 1983, he headed a management buyout under First Leisure Corporation where he was chairman until 1988 and then president. He presented the annual Royal Variety Performance from 1958 to 1978, and saw its first television broadcast in 1960, which became a ratings hit. They had one son (David) and two daughters (Susannah and Jennifer).

Portrayals In the 2018 film Stan & Ollie, which recounts the 1953 tour of the United Kingdom by Laurel & Hardy, he is portrayed by Rufus Jones.

He is played by Michael Gambon in the 2019 film Judy, which recounts Judy Garland's last days.

Other appointments Companion of the Grand Order of Water Rats Member of Saints and Sinners Printers Charitable Corporation President 1979