Steve Ostrow (September 16, 1932 – February 4, 2024) was an American businessman, LGBT rights activist, and opera performer who was the founder of the well-known New York City gay establishment Continental Baths.[1]
Steve Ostrow | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1932 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 2024 (aged 91) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman LGBT rights activist |
Early life edit
Ostrow was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 16, 1932.[1] His father, Louis Ostrow, was Russian-born and worked in advertising and layout in the magazine and newspaper publishing industry. His mother was Nettie (Cooper) Ostrow.[1] Ostrow's education included studying voice at the Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan.[1] His father died of cancer when he was 18.[1]
Career edit
Ostrow started Continental Baths in 1968. He had Bette Midler perform at his Continental Baths on the weekends.[1] Continental Baths became a huge success but eventually faded and closed in 1976.[1]
Ostrow then started his own loan company. The couple lived in Matawan, New Jersey.[1]
Ostrow went on to sing and perform with various operas such as the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Stuttgart Opera, and the Australian Opera companies in New York City, San Francisco, California, Germany, and Australia respectively.[2]
Ostrow lived in Australia from the late 1980s onwards where he became a vocal coach director of the Sydney Academy of Vocal Arts. He also founded a support group called Mature Age Gays during his time living in Australia. He was the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021 for his service to the LGBTQ community and the performing arts.[1][2]
In 1966, Ostrow was charged with mail fraud.[1]
Ostrow's memoir was called Live at The Continental.[1]
Personal life edit
Ostrow worked for a loan company and he had also joined an opera company where he met Joanne King who was his co-star in La Bohème. He married King in 1960. They got divorced in the 1980s.[1]
Ostrow had two kids with Joanne; Scott Ostrow and Maria Jaul.[1] Steve Ostrow died at a Sydney retirement home on February 4, 2024, at the age of 91.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Green, Penelope (11 February 2024). "Steve Ostrow, Manhattan Bathhouse Impresario, Dies at 91". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Cockcroft, Mary-Elizabeth; Usnik, Toby; Barlass, Tim (5 February 2024). "Steve Ostrow, trailblazer in US and Sydney gay scenes". smh.com. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2024.