Jules Podell
Nightclub operator
About Jules Podell
Lived 1899 – 1973 (aged 74). Jules Podell was an American.
Jules Podell (March 5, 1899 – September 27, 1973) was a former nightclub operator who ran the Copacabana nightclub in New York City. Although it was opened in 1940 by Monte Proser, Podell was put in place by mob boss Frank Costello, Proser's partner. By 1950 Podell was making all the decisions and Proser was gone. Podell ran the club until he died in 1973. George Carlin remarked that he would sit behind his desk & bang the ring on the desk if he didn't like you.
His daughter, Mickey Podell-Raber, has written a book of stories and photographs about her father and life at the famous club.
In popular culture
Don Stark played Jules Podell in Peter Farrelly's 2018 Academy Award-winning film Green Book.
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Important facts
People in Jules Podell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jules Podell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jules Podell?
Nightclub operator
When was Jules Podell born?
Jules Podell was born on 5 March 1899.
When did Jules Podell die?
Jules Podell died on 27 September 1973.
What nationality was Jules Podell?
Jules Podell was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jules Podell. https://biography.guide/jules-podell/
MLA: "Jules Podell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jules-podell/.
Chicago: "Jules Podell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jules-podell/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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