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{{Short description|American theatre owner}}
[[File:J. J. Shubert.jpg|thumb|J. J. Shubert]]
{{Infobox person
⚫
'''Jacob J. Shubert''' (c. 1879 – December 26, 1963) was an American theatre owner/operator and producer and a member of the famous theatrical [[Shubert family]].
| name = Jacob J. Shubert
| image = J. J. Shubert.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Shubert in 1925
| birth_date = {{birth date|1879|08|29}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fold3.com/record/11590252/ |title=Social Security Death Index |agency=[[Social Security Administration]] |via=fold3.com |url-access=subscription |accessdate=October 28, 2024}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Vladislavov]], [[Suwałki Governorate]], [[Congress Poland]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1963|12|26|1879|08|29}}
| death_place = [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| other_names = J. J. Shubert, Jake Shubert
| occupation = Theatre owner/operator, producer
| relatives = [[Lee Shubert]], brother<br>[[Sam S. Shubert]], brother
}}
⚫
'''Jacob J. Shubert''' (August 29, 1879 – December 26, 1963) was an American theatre owner/operator and producer, the youngest brother of the notable [[Shubert family]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Born in Vladislavov, in the [[Suwałki Governorate]] of [[Congress Poland]], a part of the [[Russian Empire]] (present-day [[Kudirkos Naumiestis]], [[Lithuania]]), (according to his obituary, he was born in Syracuse<ref name=petersburg>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19631227&id=5gwOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3HwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6199,3277131 "The Curtain Falls for J. J. Shubert,"]''St. Petersburg Times'', December 27, 1963.</ref>) he was the sixth child and third son of Duvvid Schubart and Katrina Helwitz, a Jewish couple. Jacob was still a small child when the family emigrated in 1881 to the [[United States]],<ref name=pbs>[https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/shubert_bros.html "Shubert Brothers] pbs.org, accessed June 7, 2009</ref> settling in [[Syracuse, New York]] where a number of [[Jew]]ish families from their hometown were already living.
Born in 1879 in [[Vladislavov]], in the [[Suwałki Governorate]] of [[Congress Poland]], a part of the [[Russian Empire]] (present-day [[Kudirkos Naumiestis]], [[Lithuania]]),{{efn|His obituary said he was born in [[Syracuse, New York]].<ref name=petersburg>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-the-curtain-falls-for-j/158031480/ |title=The Curtain Falls For J. J. Shubert |agency=Times Wire Service |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |page=7 |date=December 27, 1963 |accessdate=October 28, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>}} he was the sixth child and third son of Duvvid Schubart and Katrina Helwitz, a Jewish couple. Jacob was still a small child when the family emigrated in 1881 to the [[United States]],<ref name=pbs>[https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/shubert_bros.html "Shubert Brothers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714034823/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/shubert_bros.html |date=2009-07-14 }} pbs.org, accessed June 7, 2009</ref> settling in [[Syracuse, New York]], where a number of Jewish families from their hometown were already living.


His father's [[alcoholism]] kept the family in difficult financial circumstances and both he and his older brothers received little in the way of education and had no choice but to go to work at a young age. With borrowed money, he and brothers [[Sam Shubert|Sam]] and [[Lee Shubert]] eventually embarked on a business venture that led to them becoming the successful operators of several theatre houses in upstate New York.<ref name=pbs/>
His father's [[alcoholism]] kept the family in difficult financial circumstances and both he and his older brothers received little in the way of education and had no choice but to go to work at a young age. With borrowed money, he and brothers [[Sam S. Shubert|Sam]] and [[Lee Shubert]] eventually embarked on a business venture that led to them becoming the successful operators of several theatre houses in [[upstate New York]].<ref name=pbs/>


The Shubert brothers decided to expand their theatrical operations and in 1900 Sam and Lee Shubert moved to [[New York City]] leaving Jacob at home to manage their existing theatres.<ref name=pbs/> In New York, the elder Shuberts laid the foundations for what was to become the largest theatre empire in the 20th century including [[Broadway theatre|Broadway's]] [[Winter Garden Theatre|Winter Garden]] and [[Shubert Theatre (Broadway)|Shubert Theatre]]s. In 1905 Sam Shubert was traveling to [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] on business when the passenger train he was on collided with several freight cars. Shubert died as a result of the injuries he sustained. His death changed the brothers' business dynamics and Jacob assumed a much larger role.<ref name=pbs/>
The Shubert brothers decided to expand their theatrical operations and in 1900 Sam and Lee Shubert moved to [[New York City]] leaving Jacob at home to manage their existing theatres.<ref name=pbs/> In New York, the elder Shuberts laid the foundations for what was to become the largest theatre empire in the 20th century including [[Broadway theatre|Broadway's]] [[Winter Garden Theatre|Winter Garden]] and [[Shubert Theatre (Broadway)|Shubert Theatre]]s. In 1905, Sam Shubert was traveling to [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], on business when the passenger train he was on collided with several freight cars. Shubert died as a result of the injuries he sustained. His death changed the brothers' business dynamics and Jacob assumed a much larger role.<ref name=pbs/>


Together, although often feuding, Jacob and Lee Shubert overcame the stranglehold on the industry by the [[Theatrical Syndicate|Theatrical Syndicate's]] monopoly under [[Abe Erlanger]] and [[Mark Klaw]] to build the largest theatre empire in the 20th century.<ref name=pbs/>
Together, although often feuding, Jacob and Lee Shubert overcame the stranglehold on the industry by the [[Theatrical Syndicate|Theatrical Syndicate's]] monopoly under [[Abe Erlanger]] and [[Mark Klaw]] to build the largest theatre empire in the 20th century.<ref name=pbs/>


Jacob Shubert's son, John, took over as head of the operations in the 1950s but died unexpectedly on November 17, 1962 and a year later, Jacob died around age 84.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19631226&id=PIQEAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5205,6505888 "Noted Theatrical Producer, Jacob Shubert, Dies"],''Rome News-Tribune'', December 26, 1963</ref> Jacob apparently was not made aware of his son's death.<ref name=found/> He was divorced from his wife, Katherine, in 1917, but was married to Muriel at the time of his death.<ref name=petersburg/><ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E4D8173AE433A25752C1A9649C946696D6CF "Divorce for Mrs. Shubert,"]''The New York Times'', February 11, 1917</ref> He was interred in the family plot in the [[Salem Fields Cemetery]] in [[Brooklyn, New York]].
Jacob's son, John, took over as head of the operations in the 1950s but died unexpectedly in Florida in November 1962; a year later, Jacob died at his [[Manhattan]] apartment.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19631226&id=PIQEAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5205,6505888 "Noted Theatrical Producer, Jacob Shubert, Dies"],''Rome News-Tribune'', December 26, 1963</ref> He apparently was not made aware of his son's death.<ref name=found/> Jacob was divorced from his first wife, Katherine, in 1917, and was married to his second wife, Muriel, at the time of his death.<ref name=petersburg/><ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E4D8173AE433A25752C1A9649C946696D6CF "Divorce for Mrs. Shubert,"]''The New York Times'', February 11, 1917</ref> He was interred in the family plot in the [[Salem Fields Cemetery]] in [[Brooklyn]].


He left a substantial portion of his assets to the [[Shubert Organisation|Shubert Foundation]], and by 1972, the assets of his estate totalled $60 million.<ref name=found>{{Cite magazine|title=Accounting of J. J. Shubert's $60-Mil Estate Key To Foundation Grants|last=Green|first=Abel|author-link=Abel Green|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 13, 1972|page=1}}</ref>
Jacob Shubert left a substantial portion of his assets to the [[Shubert Foundation]], and by 1972, the assets of his estate totalled $60 million {{USDCY|60000000|1972}}.<ref name=found>{{Cite magazine|title=Accounting of J. J. Shubert's $60-Mil Estate Key To Foundation Grants|last=Green|first=Abel|author-link=Abel Green|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 13, 1972|page=1}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 19: Line 36:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Jonas Westover (2017). '' The Shuberts and Their Passing Shows: The Untold Tale of Ziegfeld's Rivals'', Oxford University Press
* {{cite book |first=Jonas |last=Westover |date=2016 |title=The Shuberts and Their Passing Shows: The Untold Tale of Ziegfeld's Rivals |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0190219239}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20200112121937/http://www.shubertfoundation.org/about/brothers.asp The Shubert Brothers: A Brief History] at shubertfoundation.org via [[Wayback Machine]]
⚫
*[http://www.musicals101.com/who8.htm#Shubert Jacob Shubert biography] at Musicals101.com
* {{Find a Grave|9100302}}
* {{Find a Grave|9100302}}
⚫
*[http://www.musicals101.com/who8.htm "Who's Who in Musicals", John Kenrick, musicals101.com]
* {{Official website|http://www.shubertorganization.com/}} ''Shubert Organization''
* {{Official website|http://www.shubertfoundation.org/about/brothers.asp}} ''Shubert Foundation biography''


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 03:29, 29 October 2024

Jacob J. Shubert
Shubert in 1925
Born(1879-08-29)August 29, 1879[1]
Vladislavov, Suwałki Governorate, Congress Poland
DiedDecember 26, 1963(1963-12-26) (aged 84)
Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesJ. J. Shubert, Jake Shubert
Occupation(s)Theatre owner/operator, producer
RelativesLee Shubert, brother
Sam S. Shubert, brother

Jacob J. Shubert (August 29, 1879 – December 26, 1963) was an American theatre owner/operator and producer, the youngest brother of the notable Shubert family.

Biography

[edit]

Born in 1879 in Vladislavov, in the Suwałki Governorate of Congress Poland, a part of the Russian Empire (present-day Kudirkos Naumiestis, Lithuania),[a] he was the sixth child and third son of Duvvid Schubart and Katrina Helwitz, a Jewish couple. Jacob was still a small child when the family emigrated in 1881 to the United States,[3] settling in Syracuse, New York, where a number of Jewish families from their hometown were already living.

His father's alcoholism kept the family in difficult financial circumstances and both he and his older brothers received little in the way of education and had no choice but to go to work at a young age. With borrowed money, he and brothers Sam and Lee Shubert eventually embarked on a business venture that led to them becoming the successful operators of several theatre houses in upstate New York.[3]

The Shubert brothers decided to expand their theatrical operations and in 1900 Sam and Lee Shubert moved to New York City leaving Jacob at home to manage their existing theatres.[3] In New York, the elder Shuberts laid the foundations for what was to become the largest theatre empire in the 20th century including Broadway's Winter Garden and Shubert Theatres. In 1905, Sam Shubert was traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on business when the passenger train he was on collided with several freight cars. Shubert died as a result of the injuries he sustained. His death changed the brothers' business dynamics and Jacob assumed a much larger role.[3]

Together, although often feuding, Jacob and Lee Shubert overcame the stranglehold on the industry by the Theatrical Syndicate's monopoly under Abe Erlanger and Mark Klaw to build the largest theatre empire in the 20th century.[3]

Jacob's son, John, took over as head of the operations in the 1950s but died unexpectedly in Florida in November 1962; a year later, Jacob died at his Manhattan apartment.[4] He apparently was not made aware of his son's death.[5] Jacob was divorced from his first wife, Katherine, in 1917, and was married to his second wife, Muriel, at the time of his death.[2][6] He was interred in the family plot in the Salem Fields Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Jacob Shubert left a substantial portion of his assets to the Shubert Foundation, and by 1972, the assets of his estate totalled $60 million ($437 million in 2023).[5]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ His obituary said he was born in Syracuse, New York.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Social Security Death Index". Social Security Administration. Retrieved October 28, 2024 – via fold3.com.
  2. ^ a b "The Curtain Falls For J. J. Shubert". St. Petersburg Times. Times Wire Service. December 27, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved October 28, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Shubert Brothers Archived 2009-07-14 at the Wayback Machine pbs.org, accessed June 7, 2009
  4. ^ "Noted Theatrical Producer, Jacob Shubert, Dies",Rome News-Tribune, December 26, 1963
  5. ^ a b Green, Abel (December 13, 1972). "Accounting of J. J. Shubert's $60-Mil Estate Key To Foundation Grants". Variety. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Divorce for Mrs. Shubert,"The New York Times, February 11, 1917

Further reading

[edit]
  • Westover, Jonas (2016). The Shuberts and Their Passing Shows: The Untold Tale of Ziegfeld's Rivals. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0190219239.
[edit]
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