15 Facts About Rocco Landesman

Rocco Landesman was born on July 20,1947 and is a long-time Broadway theatre producer.

Rocco Landesman served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from August 2009 to December 2012.

Rocco Landesman is the nephew of writer, publisher and nightclub owner Jay Landesman and songwriter Fran Landesman.

Rocco Landesman got to know novelist Jerzy Kosinski and worked with Kosinski on two of his novels, Being There and The Devil Tree.

Rocco Landesman helped Kosinski, not a native speaker of English, with his English syntax and writing.

In 1977, Rocco Landesman left to focus more time on his private investment fund, which he ran for many years.

Rocco Landesman got involved in Broadway theater and was heavily involved in the genesis and development of Big River, a musical based on Huckleberry Finn.

Rocco Landesman's involvement included persuading Roger Miller to write the music for the show.

Rocco Landesman grew up a fan of the St Louis Cardinals, and later in life he became a part-owner of the Kenosha Twins.

Rocco Landesman has continued his relationship with the Yale School of Drama and Yale Rep, returning to teach there over the years.

Rocco Landesman has spoken at forums and written numerous articles, focusing mainly on the problematic relationship between the commercial and not-for-profit sectors of the American theater.

In May 2009 US President Barack Obama nominated Rocco Landesman to become the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Rocco Landesman has been active on numerous boards, including the Municipal Art Society, the Times Square Alliance, and The Educational Foundation of America.

Rocco Landesman is married to Debby Rocco Landesman, formerly the Executive Director of the Levi Strauss Foundation and currently a philanthropic advisor to corporations and foundations.

Rocco Landesman was previously married to set designer Heidi Ettinger, and they have three sons: North, Nash and Dodge.