Biography

Producer who worked side by side with his younger brother, Boris Vanoff (1932-2006), who was a talent coordinator, on The Hollywood Palace (1964). Boris was also a cameraman for ABC-TV in Buffalo.

Began his show-business career as a hoofer where he met his wife Felicia, also a dancer. Becoming a producer, he always used dancers and choreographers in his television series and specials.

Got into real estate when he partnered in purchasing the Columbia Studio lot at Sunset and Gower, in Hollywood, which became the Sunset-Gower Studio.

Formed Zodiac Productions with William O. Harbach, his co-producer and long-time associate-friend, they produced The Hollywood Palace (1964) variety show for ABC (1964-70).

When ABC moved The Les Crane Show (1964) from New York to Los Angeles in the summer of 1965, he and his The Hollywood Palace (1964) Art Department--James Trittipo and Hub Braden--created the set for the nightly conversation interview format. The show, originating at the 1313 Vine Street Theater (three blocks south of "The Hollywood Palace" set), was retitled ABC's Nightlife (1964), with Nipsey Russell as Les' second banana. The set was a series of circular cascading benches allowing guests to sit one on one with Les; it could also expand to include additional participants in the discussions. Vanoff forbade any controversial dialog during the discussions, on orders from ABC headquarters in New York. The program was pitted against The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) on NBC, but it only lasted until November of 1965, when it was canceled.