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Jack Wishna

1958 – 2012

American businessman

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About Jack Wishna

Lived 1958 – 2012 (aged 54). Jack Wishna was an American photographer, known for Rockcityclub and Trump International Hotel and Tower (Las Vegas).

Jack Wishna (May 5, 1958 – November 27, 2012) was an American businessman and photographer. He was the president and CEO of CPAmerica,

Wishna had been called "a wheeler and dealer in the gaming industry". Wishna "put together a deal potentially worth $250 million for Wayne Newton" at the Stardust Resort & Casino, and had worked with celebrities such as Michael Flatley, Britney Spears, Richard Branson and Mohamed al-Fayed on projects in Las Vegas. He was credited with bringing Donald Trump to Las Vegas by facilitating the partnership between Trump and Phil Ruffin. Wishna helped convince Michael Jackson to return to America after 18 months in exile, and worked with him for seven months in an effort to create his comeback. According to Norm Clarke, Wishna "was instrumental in having the pop icon move back to the United States." including Wishna's Rock City Club project and presenting Cirque du Soleil with the idea to do a Michael Jackson show based upon the Thriller song and Jackson's many #1 hits.

Wishna founded Rockrena, Inc. and the Rock City Club brand with music promoter Don Kirshner. In 2012, Rock City Club partnered with Slacker online music service to create what it described as the world's first internet music channel devoted exclusively to giving undiscovered artists and bands the chance to have their music heard by millions of potential fans. Some of the biggest music producers in the world, with 162 Grammy Awards to their names, participate in Rock City Club. The channel is headed by Ron Dante and includes the production expertise of people like Phil Ramone, Kerry Gordy (son of Motown legend Berry Gordy), and Lamont Dozier.

At the age of 13, Wishna taught himself photography to land a position as photographer at Brooklyn Today newspaper. When Wishna was only 17, a chance meeting with Steve Rubell led to Wishna becoming the photographer at Studio 54 when Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened the nightclub in New York City. Wishna photographed Andy Warhol, Halston, Liza Minnelli, Burt Reynolds and Bianca Jagger.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Known for
Rockcityclub, Trump International Hotel and Tower (Las Vegas)

People in Jack Wishna's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jack Wishna's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jack Wishna?

American businessman

When was Jack Wishna born?

Jack Wishna was born on 5 May 1958 in New York City.

When did Jack Wishna die?

Jack Wishna died on 27 November 2012 in Henderson.

What was Jack Wishna's occupation?

Jack Wishna was a photographer.

What was Jack Wishna known for?

Jack Wishna was known for Rockcityclub and Trump International Hotel and Tower (Las Vegas).

What nationality was Jack Wishna?

Jack Wishna was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jack Wishna

· Wikidata: Q6115838

· DBpedia: Jack Wishna

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jack Wishna. https://biography.guide/jack-wishna/

MLA: "Jack Wishna." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jack-wishna/.

Chicago: "Jack Wishna." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jack-wishna/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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