Steve Rubell Biography

Steve Rubell was an American entrepreneur, best known for co-owning the New York disco ‘Studio 54.’ Steve was born into a Jewish family. Like his father, who was a skilled tennis player, Steve, too, played tennis while growing up. Although he loved the game, he never wished to build a career in the sport. He joined ‘Syracuse University’ and earned a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in finance. During his university years, he met Ian Schrager, who also became his future business partner. After college, Steve joined the ‘National Guard.’ He later worked with a brokerage firm. Eventually, he opened two restaurants, one each in Connecticut and Queens, New York. In 1975, Ian and Steve were introduced to the thriving disco market of New York. Steve decided to invest in the disco industry. He opened a club called ‘Douglaston Manor’ in Queens and then opened ‘Studio 54’ in Manhattan in 1977. However, in 1978, Steve and Ian faced charges of tax evasion and obstruction of justice, and their club was sold off. Steve was imprisoned for 3 and half years. After being released from prison in April 1981, Steve opened a hotel called ‘Executive Hotel,’ with Ian, on Madison Avenue.