Steve Rubell

About

Businessman and entrepreneur who made his name as the owner of the iconic Studio 54, a disco based in New York City. He began his career as a restauranter and owned two steakhouses, one in New York and one in Connecticut. By 1977, he had opened Studio 54 and raked in $7 million in profits. His cocky attitude and profit margin caught the attention of the FBI, who raided the club in 1978 and 1979. Rubell and his business partner were charged with tax evasion and several other related felonies. He was eventually sentenced to three and a half years in prison. During that time, the club was sold off. 

Before Fame

He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in finance from Syracuse University. 

Trivia

He was an avid tennis player but decided against pursuing a professional career. He was released in 1981 and lived in a halfway house for several months. He bounced back and later opened The Palladium, a club that would become central to New York's art 1980s art and club scene. The walls were often decorated with works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Family Life

He was born and raised in New York City. His father was a postal worker who went on to become a pro tennis player. Rubell was a gay man who was closeted for most of his life. He tested positive for HIV in 1985, and the virus rapidly progressed to full-blown AIDS. He died in 1989 due to septic shock and hepatitis, which were listed as complications of the AIDS virus. 

Associated With

His funeral was attended by Calvin Klein and Bianca Jagger.