Ziegfeld, Florenz (1867–1932), American theatre manager, producer, and showman, who perfected the American form of
revue in the
Follies, which began in 1907 and continued almost annually until his death, being seen intermittently thereafter until 1957; ‘Ziegfeld’ was added to the title in 1911. Ziegfeld based his show on that of the
Folies-Bergère in Paris, with the emphasis on scenic splendour, comic sketches,
vaudeville specialities, and beautiful girls, many of whom later became film stars. He was also responsible for fostering the talents of such light entertainers as Fanny Brice, W. C. Fields, Eddie Cantor, and Bert
Williams, and many famous foreign artistes appeared in New York under his management, including Maurice
Chevalier. Among the many musicals he presented the best was Kern and
Hammerstein's Show Boat (1927 and 1932); others were
Sally (1920),
Rio Rita (1927),
Whoopee (1928), and
Coward's Bitter Sweet (1929). He also presented straight plays. His shows were seen mainly at the
New Amsterdam theatres and
Ziegfeld theatres.
