Lew Grade, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Lew Grade

Imperial Russian/Ukrainian-born British media proprietor, impresario, talent agent and former professional dancer

Date of Birth: 25-Dec-1906

Place of Birth: Tokmak, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Ukraine

Date of Death: 13-Dec-1998

Profession: politician, talent agent, film producer

Nationality: United Kingdom, Ukraine

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Lew Grade, Baron Grade, OStJ, KC*SS (25 December 1906 – 13 December 1998), born Louis Winogradsky, was a British media proprietor and impresario.
Originally a dancer, and later a talent agent, Grade's interest in television production began in 1954 when, in partnership, he successfully bid for franchises in the newly created ITV network, which led to the creation of Associated Television (ATV).
Having worked for a time in the United States, he was aware of the potential for the sale of television programming to American networks.
The Incorporated Television Company (ITC; commonly known as ITC Entertainment) was formed with this specific objective in mind.
Grade had some success in this field with such series as Gerry Anderson's various Supermarionation series such as Thunderbirds, Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner, and Jim Henson's The Muppet Show.
Later, Grade invested in 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.