Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was born on March 21, 1867, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Florenz Ziegfeld Sr., a famous orchestra leader, and Rosalie de Heusch Ziegfeld, a Belgian woman. Growing up in a musical household, young Florenz developed a passion for the arts at an early age.
Despite his father's hopes for him to pursue a career in music, Ziegfeld Jr. had other interests. He attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and then went on to work as a journalist for the Chicago World's Fair.
In 1893, Ziegfeld Jr. made his first foray into show business when he produced his first theatrical production, which was a flop. Undeterred, he continued to hone his skills and eventually found success as a producer of vaudeville shows.
His breakthrough came in 1907 when he produced the first of his famous Ziegfeld Follies revues. The Follies were a sensation, featuring elaborate costumes, beautiful chorus girls, and music by legendary composers such as George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Irving Berlin.
Ziegfeld Jr. married actress Billie Burke, best known for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, in 1914. The couple had a daughter, Patricia Ziegfeld Stephenson. Ziegfeld's first marriage was to Polish performer Anna Held, but the union ended in divorce.
Ziegfeld Jr.'s impact on Broadway cannot be overstated. His lavish stage spectacles revolutionized the genre, setting the standard for musical revues for years to come. Some of his most famous productions include Show Boat and The Three Musketeers.
Throughout his career, Ziegfeld Jr. worked with some of the biggest names in show business, including Eddie Cantor, who credited Ziegfeld with launching his career.
Despite his untimely death in 1932 at the age of 65, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.'s legacy lives on in the world of theater. His contributions to Broadway have left an indelible mark on the history of American entertainment.
Related links