Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

American theatrical producer who brought the revue to Spectacular heights under the slogan "Glorifying the American Girl. " During the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, Ziegfeld managed bodybuilder Eugen Sandow (billed as the Great Sandow).

In 1896 he turned to theatrical management. His promotion of French beauty Anna Held, with press releases about her milk Baths, brought her fame and set a pattern of star-making through publicity.

Longtime companion of Anna Held (1897-1913). They never officially married.

In 1907 he produced in New York City his first revue, The Follies of 1907, modeled on the Folies-Bergère of Paris but less risqué. The revue's combination of semi-nudity, pageantry and comedy was repeated successfully for 23 more years, until the Great Depression ended these annual spectaculars.

Daughter, with Billie Burke: Patricia Ziegfeld Stephenson born 1916.

In addition to the Follies, Ziegfeld also produced the stage successes "Sally" (1920), "Show Boat" (1927), "Rio Rita" (1927), and "Bitter Sweet (1929). Among the stars who rose to fame as a result of appearing in a Ziegfeld show were Marilyn Miller, Will Rogers, Leon Errol, Bert Williams, Fanny Brice and Eddie Cantor. Ziegfeld had a long-lasting relationship with Anna Held but they never married due to her already being married to Maximo Carrera.

In 1927 he produced what is considered his greatest artistic achievement--the original Broadway production of "Show Boat". Although he recognized its artistic value, he was terrified that it would fail because of its unusually dramatic storyline. According to an eyewitness, on opening night the audience barely applauded. It was not because they disliked the show. It was because they were so taken aback by it. The show was a huge success. By 1932, after Ziegfeld had lost much of his money in the stock-market crash, he decided to try what he now considered a sure thing, a revival of the show. It worked, and for a time became the biggest grosser on Broadway, until the Depression finally affected its run. Ziegfeld died that same year.

Portrayed by Paul Henreid in Deep in My Heart (1954), William Powell (again) in Ziegfeld Follies (1945), and Walter Pidgeon in Funny Girl (1968).

Four other editions appeared after his death, the last in 1957.

Is portrayed by Paul Stewart in W.C. Fields and Me (1976) and William Powell in The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and Ziegfeld Follies (1945), by William Forrest in The Eddie Cantor Story (1953)Walter Pigeon in Funny Girl.