Stephen Frankfurt

Stephen Owen Frankfurt (December 17, 1931 – September 28, 2012) was an American graphic designer and advertising executive. He was president of Young & Rubicam and created advertisements for films.

Biography Frankfurt was born on December 17, 1931, in Manhattan, to lawyer Milton Frankfurt and his wife, Blanche Frankfurt. He attended the High School of Music & Art, then the Pratt Institute in 1956; he later earned a doctorate in 1975 and became a board member.

During and after college, Frankfurt painted backgrounds for United Productions of America. Frankfurt's commercials were often abstract, with him describing television advertising as "a toy then". He resigned as president after four years in the position. In 1971, he founded his own firm, and in 1988, joined Frankfurt Gips Balkind, working with Philip Gips. He encouraged Gips to create film posters. In 1983, he was inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. Rosemary's Baby, Superman, and That's Entertainment!. In 1969, he married Kay Gadda, having four children together. He lived in Quiogue, New York and was a neighbor of journalist Anderson Cooper; by 2010, he and his wife were attempting to sell the property, for $10.8 million. He died on September 28, 2012, aged 80, in the Bronx, from Alzheimer's disease.