 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2015) |
The Lord Grade | |
|---|---|
 1997 artistic portrait by The Earl of Snowdon. | |
| Born | Lev Winogradsky 25 December 1906 |
| Died | 13 December 1998 (aged 91) London, England |
| Resting place | Liberal Jewish Cemetery, Willesden, London |
| Nationality | Russian (1906–1912) British (1912–1998) |
| Other names |
|
| Education | Rochelle Street Elementary School |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1926–1998 |
| Spouse |
Kathleen Moody (m. 1942) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Bernard Delfont (brother) Leslie Grade (brother) Michael Grade (nephew) |
Lew Grade, Baron Grade, OStJ (born Lev Winogradsky;[2] 25 December 1906 – 13 December 1998) was a Russian-born British media proprietor and impresario. Originally a dancer, and later a talent agent, Grade's interest in television production began in 1954 when he founded the Incorporated Television Company (ITC; commonly known as ITC Entertainment) to distribute programmes, and following the success of The Adventures of Robin Hood decided to focus on bringing them to the American market. Grade had some success in this field with such series as Gerry Anderson's many Supermarionation series such as Thunderbirds, Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner, and Jim Henson's The Muppet Show. Later, Grade invested in feature film production, but several expensive box-office failures caused him to lose control of ITC, and ultimately resulted in the disestablishment of ATV after it lost its ITV franchise.[3]
- ^ "Lady Grade, teenage star who gave up a promising career to become the busy and steady presence behind her tycoon husband Lew – obituary". The Telegraph. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ Horace Newcomb, Encyclopedia of Television
- ^ "Lord Grade of Elstree, showman, died on December 13th, aged 91". The Economist. 17 December 1998. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
[H]e felt betrayed when in 1982 he lost control of Associated Communications Corporation, the parent company of his television and other interests, to Robert Holmes à Court, an Australian. Lord Grade had felt so close to the Australian that he allowed him to buy 51% of the voting shares. Holmes à Court then deposed him in a boardroom coup and purged the company of all his staff, even, Lord Grade noted sadly, his tea lady. Later, he observed waspishly, "Robert died quite a young man, for all his millions".