Nicholas John De Noia Jr. (May 14, 1941 – April 7, 1987) was an American director, screenwriter, and choreographer known for his work as choreographer of the Chippendales dance troupe and for his Unicorn Tales shorts for young audiences, for which he won two Emmy Awards.
De Noia was married to Jennifer O'Neill from 1975 to 1976, although he was a closeted homosexual.[1][2]
Murder
On April 7, 1987, at 3:40 PM, De Noia was shot in the face with a large caliber pistol while sitting in his 15th floor office desk at 264 West 40th Street, Manhattan located near the garment district.[3] De Noia was 45 years old at the time of his murder. He was shot by Gilberto Rivera Lopez,[4] recruited by Ray Colon, an accomplice of Somen ("Steve") Banerjee who originally hired Colon to murder De Noia. At the time, De Noia no longer worked for Banerjee but had a licensing arrangement through a company called Chippendales Universal to use the name Chippendales for tour engagements. Banerjee was dissatisfied with the business arrangement which was memorialized on a cocktail napkin. Banerjee tried unsuccessfully to break the contract in New York courts. The murder of Nick De Noia was orchestrated by Banerjee along with the burning of a competitor's Red Onion nightclub. Banerjee pleaded guilty to murder, arson and RICO charges in July 1994.[5][6] Under a plea bargain, Banerjee pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 years in prison.[7] He died by suicide in prison while awaiting final sentencing. Chippendales was inherited by Banerjee's wife.
Legacy
Actor Murray Bartlett portrays Nick De Noia in the Hulu miniseries Welcome to Chippendales.
References
- ^ Novak, Audra Vy (20 October 2017). "The real Chippendale's Murder Mystery: P.S. Anybody know what the hell happened to Will Mott?". Medium. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Avery, Dan (3 April 2014). "Ben Stiller In Talks To Play Gay Choreographer In Movie About Chippendales Dancers". Logo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Purdum, Todd (8 April 1987). "EMMY-WINNING PRODUCER SHOT TO DEATH IN OFFICE". The New York Times. No. Section B, Page 3. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Whipp, Emily; Halaban, Boaz; Taudte, Jeca; Ruppel, Glenn; Effron, Lauren (8 Oct 2021). "Behind Chippendales' glam was a founder who orchestrated murder-for-hire plots". ABC News. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ^ Boyer, Edward (30 Jul 1994). "Chippendale's Owner Admits Murder : Courts: Man who began male stripper revue pleads guilty to homicide, racketeering charges. He will get 26 years in prison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ Weinstein, Henry (25 Oct 1994). "Chippendale Club Owner Kills Himself : Crime: Somen Banerjee, founder of the male-stripper nightspot, is found dead in his cell. He was to be sentenced in the murder-for-hire of his former business partner". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Chippendale's Owner Admits Murder : Courts: Man who began male stripper revue pleads guilty to homicide, racketeering charges. He will get 26 years in prison". Los Angeles Times. 30 July 1994. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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