Tony DeSantis
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| Anthony DeSantis | |
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| Born | 5 January 1914 Gary, Indiana |
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| Died | 6 June 2007 Oak Brook, Illinois |
| Occupation | Theater Producer |
| Spouse | Lucille Cuzeli DeSantis |
| Children | Diane DeSantis Van Lente and Deborah De Santis |
Anthony DeSantis, KStJ[1] (January 5, 1914 – 6 June 2007) was an American entrepreneur and theater owner in Chicago, Illinois and its suburbs. He is most well-known for the foundation of the the area's Drury Lane theaters. At its peak, his empire included 5 separate theaters.[2]
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[edit] Life and career
DeSantis was born in Gary, Indiana and began his career in show business as a trumpet player in Chicago. In 1935, he was nearly killed in an explosion at the Glidden paint factory where he was working. In 1940, he purchased a club on Michigan Avenue before moving out of Chicago to nearby Evergreen Park, where he began producing plays in 1949.
His Drury Lane Theater empire grew steadily through the 1970s and DeSantis became a very wealthy man. He was opposed to mafia involvement in Chicago show business and in 1958 was involved in an FBI sting against the Chicago mob. This led to a retaliatory explosion in his Martinique nightclub in 1962.[2] In reflecting on his life in 2005, DeSantis said:
"I suppose I could sit on a bench and drink martinis with a starlet on each arm. Nah. I work hard because I am just trying to keep alive."[2]
In spite of his opposition to organized crime, DeSantis was involved in at least one political scandal. In 2005, he was linked to former-Governor George Ryan, to whom he had written several large personal checks. This was brought to light at Ryan's corruption trial.[2]
DeSantis died on 6 June 2007, aged 93.[2]
[edit] Honors and awards
In 1971, DeSantis was made an associate Officer of the Venerable Order of Saint John.[3] This was followed in 1980 by a promotion to the rank of associate knight in the same Order.[1] DeSantis was a very vocal supporter of Roman Catholic charities in Chicago and his funeral mass was said at Holy Name Cathedral on 18 June 2007.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b London Gazette: no. 48456, pages 17522–17523, 18 December 1980. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mr. Theater in Chicago," Chicago Tribune, Section 1, Page 1, 7 June 2007.
- ^ London Gazette: no. 45466, pages 9668–9669, 7 September 1971. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
