Theater News

Famed Restaurateur Vincent Sardi Dies at 91

Vincent Sardi Jr.
Vincent Sardi Jr.

Vincent Sardi Jr., who for more than 50 years owned and managed the famed New York City theater district restaurant that bears his family’s name, died of complications of a urinary tract infection on Thursday, January 4. He was 91 and had lived in Warren, Vermont since his retirement in 1997.

Born on July 23, 1915 in Manhattan, he attended Holy Cross Academy and, at age 10, appeared as an Italian urchin in The Master of the Inn at the Little Theater. In 1921, his father took over a restaurant located in the basement of a brownstone at 246 West 44th Street and called it the Little Restaurant, but the name was soon changed to Sardi’s. When that building was demolished in 1927 to allow construction of the St. James Theater, Sardi’s moved to 234 West 44th Street, where it is still in operation.

Vincent Jr. graduated from Flushing High School and attended Columbia University. He earned a degree from Columbia Business School in 1937; two years later, he became dining room caption at Sardi’s. Following a stint in the Marine Corps, he took over the management of the restaurant when his father retired in 1947.

Sardi’s became and remains world famous as a watering hole for actors, playwrights, producers, and other theater professionals, many of whom have a permanent presence there because their images fill the walls of the three-story establishment in the form of caricatures. Opening night parties for countless shows were held at the restaurant during its heyday, with newspapers delivered to Sardi’s hot off the presses so that the critics’ reviews could be read, often aloud. Vincent Jr. was considered by many to be the unofficial Mayor of Broadway. He made a point of seeing every show and insisted that his headwaiters do the same, so that they would be able to treat the cast members extra well. He often extended lines of credit to out-of work actors and offered special menus with reduced prices.

Sardi’s East, a new venture at 123 East 44th Street, opened in 1958 but never caught on and closed 10 years later. In September 1985, after a period of poor business, the original Sardi’s on West 44th was sold to two producers from Detroit, Ivan Bloch and Harvey Klaris, and restaurateur Stuart Lichtenstein — but, in 1990, the new owners declared bankruptcy and ceased operation. Sardi, who had planned to retire, bought back the place and reopened it in 1991 after a renovation. Since that time, his partner Max Klimavicius has taken over most of the restaurant’s management; Sean Ricketts, one of Sardi’s grandsons, is also a manager and maitre d’ there. Sardi’s remains a prime tourist attraction and a preferred site for theater industry parties, and new caricatures continue to be added to the walls.

Two of Sardi’s marriages, to Carolyn Euiller in 1939 and Adelle Rasey in 1946, ended in divorce. He is survived by his third wife, the former June Keller; three children, Paul of Coco Beach, Florida, David of San Diego, and Tabitha of Manhattan; a sister, Anna Gina Sardi of Stamford, Connecticut; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Jennifer.

The marquee lights of all Broadway theaters will be dimmed for one minute at 8pm tonight — Friday, January 5 — in memory of Sardi. A memorial service will be held at Sardi’s on a date yet to be announced.