Biography
Bernard Delfont — impresario with roots in the Russian Empire
Bernard Delfont (born Boris Isaakovich Winogradsky) was a British theatrical impresario who presented more than 200 shows in London and New York and the annual Royal Variety Performance from 1958 to 1978. He was chairman and chief executive of EMI's film arm from 1969 and chief executive of EMI from 1979. His brothers were Lew Grade and Leslie Grade.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Tokmak (Ukraine)
Born on 5 September 1909 in Tokmak, Taurida Governorate, Russian Empire, to Isaac and Olga Winogradsky. In 1912 the Jewish family left for London's East End.
Family Tree
Subject
Bernard Delfont🇬🇧 UK
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Self (born there)
Isaac Winogradsky
Olga Winogradsky
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Origin
Tokmak (Ukraine)🇷🇺 Russian Empire
Historical context
Russian Empire · c. 1721–1917
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Tokmak (Ukraine). At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Presented more than 200 shows in London and New York
02
Presented the annual Royal Variety Performance, 1958–1978
03
Chief executive of EMI from 1979
04
Life peer as Baron Delfont of Stepney (1976)
05
Brother of Lew Grade and Leslie Grade
"In this business you are only as good as your last show. (attributed)"
Bernard Delfont
Sources