Zev Buffman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zev Buffman
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| Born | October 11, 1930 Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine
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| Died | (aged 89) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) | Vilma Buffman |
Zev Buffman (born Ze'ev Bufman) (October 11, 1930 – April 1, 2020) was a famous producer for Broadway shows. He also led Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. Zev Buffman produced over 40 Broadway shows. He worked with the famous actress Elizabeth Taylor for her first Broadway play, The Little Foxes. Buffman also helped start the NBA champion basketball team, the Miami Heat.
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Life and Career Highlights
Zev Buffman was born in Tel Aviv, which was then called Palestine, in 1930. His parents had moved there from Ukraine. He started in entertainment in 1947 when he was 16. He became a stand-up comedian in Israel, performing for soldiers during breaks in the 1948 war. He served in the army for several years and later helped again during other wars.
In 1951, Zev came to the United States as a student. He moved to Hollywood, California, and worked as an actor while going to college. He appeared in the film Flight to Tangier. His most famous movie role was in the classic film The Ten Commandments.
Producing Broadway Shows
By 1960, Zev Buffman produced his first musical, Vintage 60. He worked with Broadway producer David Merrick on this show.
In 1962, Buffman bought and fixed up the old Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida. He was its leader until 1971. He also started the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. In 1967, he began running the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, which was the city's first theater. He managed it for 23 years.
From 1976 to 1990, he was in charge of the Jackie Gleason Performing Arts Center in South Miami Beach. He helped fix up the theater and brought in famous Broadway stars. These included Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, and Yul Brynner. The opening of this large theater helped South Beach become popular again.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, he started the "Zev Buffman Broadway Series" in many cities. These included Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, and Orlando. He also managed the first three seasons of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. This center is now known as the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Buffman sold his theater businesses in 1988.
Buffman also worked at the Chicago Theatre from 1977 to 1981 with his partner, Frank Sinatra. He helped lead a $50 million project to restore this historic theater. After it was finished, Buffman brought in Broadway shows and concerts with famous artists.
He also bought and restored the old 1927 Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Working with his partners, the Saenger Theatre became a national landmark. It became New Orleans' new home for performing arts.
Sports and Concerts
In 1988, Buffman became a founding partner of the NBA basketball team, the Miami Heat. He worked with Ted Arison, who owned Carnival Cruise Lines. Buffman also helped raise money to build the Miami Arena. The Miami Heat played there until 1999.
In the 1990s, Buffman started a new partnership with Wayne Huizenga of Blockbuster Video. They became big players in the concert business. As President and CEO, Buffman planned and built four new outdoor concert venues. These large venues could hold 20,000 people each. They were located in Phoenix, Southern California, Charlotte, and West Palm Beach. The venues were sold in 1997.
Later Career
In 2003, Buffman became the CEO of RiverPark Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. While there, he started the International Mystery Writers' Festival.
In 2011, Buffman became the President and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. This is a performing arts center in Clearwater, Florida. He worked with the city to renovate the historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater. It reopened in December 2013. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. also produced concerts for the Major League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Buffman retired in October 2018.
He also held other important roles:
- Helped with galas for the Wolftrap Amphitheatre with First Lady Mrs. Nancy Reagan.
- Chaired fundraising events for the University of Tel Aviv.
- Co-founded and produced galas for the New World Symphony.
Producing Work
Zev Buffman became involved in producing Broadway shows while living in Hollywood, California. His first show was Vintage 60, a musical that opened in 1960. He worked with major theater groups like the Nederlander Organization and The Shubert Organization. He also had a long partnership with actress Elizabeth Taylor.
He brought Elizabeth Taylor to her first Broadway show, The Little Foxes. Later, he brought Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton together on Broadway in the 1983 play Private Lives. He also worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber to produce the original Broadway show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Mr. Buffman also produced many national tours of shows. From 1967 to 1995, Buffman produced shows through his own company. He also produced films, television shows, and cast recordings of Broadway shows.
Movies and TV Shows
- He had a five-year contract with Universal Studios as a producer. With partner Hugh Hefner, he produced The Naked Ape. This was a film that combined animation and live-action.
- He had a long-term contract with NBC and CTV (Canada). He produced a 39-episode TV series based on his Broadway hit show Story Theatre.
- He produced a pilot for ABC television called Fantasies Fulfilled. It starred Walter Matthau and later became the hit series Fantasy Island.
Broadway Shows Produced
Here are some of the Broadway shows Zev Buffman produced:
- Blithe Spirit (2009)
- Jerry's Girls (1985-1986)
- Requiem for a Heavyweight (1985), starring John Lithgow
- Private Lives (1983), starring Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1982-1983)
- The Little Foxes (1981), starring Elizabeth Taylor
- West Side Story (1980)
- Oklahoma! (1979-1980)
- Peter Pan (1979-1981), starring Sandy Duncan
- Paul Sills' Story Theatre (1970-1971)
- Buck White (1969), with Muhammad Ali
- Jimmy Shine (1968-1969), starring Dustin Hoffman
- Your Own Thing (Won NY Drama Critics Award for Best Producer of a Musical)
- Vintage '60 (1960)
Touring Productions
Zev Buffman also produced many touring versions of popular shows, including:
- Jimmy Shine, starring Dustin Hoffman
- Porgy & Bess
- Peter Pan
- Oklahoma!
- West Side Story
- The King & I, starring Yul Brynner
- Gypsy, starring Angela Lansbury
- Applause, starring Lauren Bacall
- A Man for All Seasons, starring Charlton Heston
Awards and Honors
Zev Buffman received many awards and honors for his work:
- 2010 Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America.
- Named State of Florida Ambassador of the Arts.
- Won The New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical (Your Own Thing, 1967-1968).
- Nominated for a 2009 Drama Desk Award for Blithe Spirit.
- Nominated for Tony Awards multiple times for shows like A View from the Bridge, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Brigadoon, The Little Foxes, and Peter Pan.
- Named Entrepreneur of the Year in Owensboro, KY (2008).
- Received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Wharton School of Business.
- Named Man of the Year in many cities, including Miami, New Orleans, and Orlando.
- Named Producer of the Year for Wolftrap Amphitheatre in Washington, D.C.
- Won the Carbonnel Award six times for Best Producer in Florida.
