Theater Owner Ezat Delijani Dies
Ed Fuentes
Ezat Delijani, center, at the 2009 dedication of Ezat Delijani Square at 7th and Broadway.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Longtime Broadway theatre owner Ezat Delijani passed away on Saturday, reports the L.A. Times.
Delijani came to Los Angeles in 1979 after fleeing Iran's Islamic Revolution.
In 1982, he purchased the 1931 Los Angeles Theatre at the request of Mayor Tom Bradley, who wanted to ensure the historic theater would be saved. Delijani later purchased the Palace, State and Tower theaters.
In 2009, the intersection of 7th and Broadway was named Delijani Square in honor of those efforts.
Sons Michael and Shiram Delijani have been involved in recent Broadway renovation efforts, and this summer the family unveiled a $1 million rehab of the Palace.
Frank Schultz on August 29, 2011, at 07:37AM – #1
My condolences to the entire Delijani family.
Brady Westwater (@bradywestwater) on August 29, 2011, at 09:15AM – #2
Few people understand the true financial costs of buying the Los Angeles Theater at the height of a real estate market - and then having to pay a well above even that market's price to keep it from being torn down - and then having to maintain the theater for 30 years.
Fortunately, Mr. Delijani was able to see the Palace Theater undergo the first of its several stages of restoration and then its hugely successful sold out re-opening event on its hundred year anniversary.
And his sons have pledged to continue his work and his vision for Broadway which, now that the City of Los Angeles also - finally - understands the need for a thriving theater district in the heart of the city, is at last going to be able to be realized
derblut on August 29, 2011, at 04:19PM – #3
Great man. Sorry to hear this.