David Merrick

Date of Birth: November 27, 1911

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: April 25, 2000

Biography

David Merrick, born David Margulois, was an influential American theatrical producer known for his significant impact on Broadway. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and later moved to New York City, where he made a name for himself with a series of successful and innovative productions. Merrick was a master of publicity stunts and was often referred to as the “Abominable Showman” due to his sometimes ruthless business tactics. Over his career, he produced more than 80 Broadway shows, including timeless classics like “Hello, Dolly!”, “Gypsy”, and “42nd Street”. His work earned him numerous awards, including multiple Tony Awards. Merrick’s contributions to the theater world are still celebrated today, long after his passing.

5 Interesting Facts about David Merrick

1. David Merrick was known for his innovative and often controversial publicity stunts, such as hiring seven men with the same name as New York theater critics to give favorable reviews of his show “Subways Are for Sleeping”.

2. He won a total of eight Tony Awards throughout his career.

3. Merrick produced the original Broadway productions of “Hello, Dolly!” and “42nd Street”, both of which became iconic shows that have been revived multiple times.

4. Despite his reputation as a tough and sometimes unscrupulous businessman, Merrick was deeply dedicated to the art of theater and often took significant risks to bring his productions to life.

5. Merrick was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2001, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential producers in Broadway history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David Merrick

1. “It’s not enough to succeed; others must fail.”

2. “I don’t believe in the public. I believe in the box office.”

3. “I am the showman of showmen.”

4. “The only thing I ever wanted to do was produce shows.”

5. “I don’t care if people like me, as long as they respect me.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, David Merrick’s net worth was estimated to be in the range of $20 million to $30 million, a significant sum for a theater producer in his era.

Children

David Merrick had two daughters with his first wife, Leonore Beck: Marguerite and Deborah. His family life, however, was often overshadowed by his demanding career in theater production.