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Frederick Brisson 1912 - 1984

Frederick Brisson was born on March 17, 1912 in Copenhagen Denmark. He was married to Rosalind Russell, and had a child Lance Brisson. Frederick Brisson died at age 72 years old on October 8, 1984 in New York, New York United States.

Frederick Brisson

Carl Frederick Brisson, Ejner Petersen

March 17, 1912

Copenhagen, Denmark

October 8, 1984

New York, New York, United States

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Frederick Brisson Frederick Brisson (1912 - 1984)

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Frederick Brisson's History: 1912 - 1984

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Introduction

Born Ejner Petersen to Carl and Cleo Petersen. his father changed their surname to Brisson and after winning the European light-heavyweight championship, began acting and singing. In 1934, the family moved to the US and father Carl pursued a successful career in nightclubs and movies. Son Ejner changed his first name to Frederick and began a show business career as a manager, co-producer, and talent agent in England. In 1939, he sailed to America and obtained a job as a junior partner in the Frank Vincent talent agency in Hollywood. Actor Cary Grant introduced him to Rosalind Russell. Wives: Arlette Janssens Josephson (4 May 1978 - 8 October 1984) (his death) Rosalind Russell (25 October 1941 - 28 November 1976) (her death) (1 child) His son with Rosalind Russell was Lance Brisson, born 1943. He was separated from his widow Arlette at the time of his death. Two weeks after he died, his son Lance launched a suit against Arlette, challenging her rights to his estate. After two years, a settlement was reached. He was at his first wife Rosalind Russell 's bedside when she died. His wife, Arlette, was a consultant to a communications company and a vice president of Tiffany & Company. She was born around 1939. Frederick was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army Air Force during the War. See Frederick Brisson: Obituary.
03/17

1912

Birthday

March 17, 1912

Birthdate

Copenhagen Denmark

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

BFrederick was Caucasian, of Danish heritage. He was born in Denmark.
Nationality & Locations

A native of Denmark, Frederick lived in Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He died in New York.
Military Service

Frederick served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.
Professional Career

Frederick was a Broadway producer. Career highlights: Frederick is known for his work on Damn Yankees (1958), The Pajama Game (1957) and The Velvet Touch (1948). He was married to Arlette Janssens Josephson and Rosalind Russell. From his IMDb bio: Frederick Brisson was born on March 17, 1912 in Copenhagen, Denmark as Carl Frederick Brisson. He is known for his work on Damn Yankees (1958), The Pajama Game (1957) and The Velvet Touch (1948). He was married to Arlette Janssens Josephson and Rosalind Russell. He died on October 8, 1984 in New York City, New York, USA. Trivia from IMDb: Son of stage and screen star Carl Brisson Awarded a Tony Award in 1956 for his production of the musical, "Damn Yankees," shared with Robert Griffith and Harold S. Prince in association with Albert B. Taylor. Son with Rosalind Russell, Lance Brisson born 1943
Personal Life & Family

Frederick was married twice and had one child, a son Lance Brisson, from his first marriage: Wives: Arlette Janssens Josephson (4 May 1978 - 8 October 1984) (his death) Rosalind Russell (25 October 1941 - 28 November 1976) (her death) (1 child) He was separated from his widow Arlette at the time of his death. Two weeks after he died, his son Lance launched a suit against Arlette, challenging her rights to his estate. After two years, a settlement was reached. His son married actress Patricia Morrow on March 15, 1975. They divorced in the 1980s.
10/8

1984

Death

October 8, 1984

Death date

stroke

Cause of death

New York, New York United States
Death location

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Obituary

Frederick Brisson, a theater and film producer, died on Monday at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center after a stroke. He was 71 years old. Mr. Brisson produced the first plays on Broadway by Harold Pinter (''The Caretaker'') and Peter Shaffer (''Five Finger Exercise''). Mr. Brisson, whose first wife was the actress Rosalind Russell, who died in 1976, brought other new voices to the American stage, including Bill Naughton (''Alfie''), William Goodhart (''Generation''), Richard Bissell (''The Pajama Game'') and Lawrence Roman (''Under the Yum-Yum Tree''). Among his Broadway successes were ''Damn Yankees,'' ''New Girl in Town,'' ''The Pleasure of His Company,'' ''The Gazebo,'' ''First Love,'' ''Coco'' and ''Twigs.'' Mr. Brisson acquired an intimate knowledge of show business as the son of the Danish singing idol Carl Brisson. Born in Copenhagen, he was taken to England at the age of 10. He began his career in England as an associate producer on several films. His first independent movie production was Ignace Paderewski's ''Moonlight Sonata.'' Moved to Hollywood Mr. Brisson later moved to Hollywood. With the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force. After the war, he formed Independent Artists Pictures, which produced the films ''Never Wave at a Wac'' and ''The Velvet Touch.'' ''The Pajama Game,'' Mr. Brisson's first Broadway musical venture, in 1954, was a resounding hit, earning more than $3.5 million, and ''Damn Yankees'' earned about $2.5 million. Mr. Brisson and various partners also produced the movie versions of these shows. In 1969, he realized a long-cherished dream by producing ''Coco,'' a Broadway musical starring Katharine Hepburn, and based on the life of the French designer Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel. His final production was a Broadway musical, ''Dance a Little Closer." Mr. Brisson was married for 35 years to Miss Russell. He is survived by his second wife, Arlette Janssen, whom he married in 1978 and from whom he was separated, his divorce attorney, Herman H. Tarnow, said yesterday. He is also survived by a son, Lance, and his grandson, James, both of Van Nuys, Calif.

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Frederick Brisson lived 1 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 72.

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7 Memories, Stories & Photos about Frederick

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

11/04/2021

Rosalind Russell and Frederick Brisson.

Husband and Wife.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

11/04/2021

Fred and Roz wedding photo.

Restored by me.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

11/04/2021

Fred and Rosalind Russell laughing.

Nice photo.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

11/04/2021

Close-up of Roz and Fred.

I saw most of the shows he produced.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

11/04/2021

They were together for 35 years,

He re-married after Rosalind died and they were separated at the time of his death.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell and Fred Brisson.

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

11/04/2021

Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell and Fred Brisson.

Cary and Roz did movies together.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Kathy Pinna

32.7k+ favorites

06/14/2021

New York Times Obituary October 11 1984

Frederick Brisson, a theater and film producer, died on Monday at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center after a stroke. He was 71 years old.

Mr. Brisson produced the first plays on Broadway by Harold Pinter (''The Caretaker'') and Peter Shaffer (''Five Finger Exercise'').

Mr. Brisson, whose first wife was the actress Rosalind Russell, who died in 1976, brought other new voices to the American stage, including Bill Naughton (''Alfie''), William Goodhart (''Generation''), Richard Bissell (''The Pajama Game'') and Lawrence Roman (''Under the Yum-Yum Tree'').

Among his Broadway successes were ''Damn Yankees,'' ''New Girl in Town,'' ''The Pleasure of His Company,'' ''The Gazebo,'' ''First Love,'' ''Coco'' and ''Twigs.''
Mr. Brisson acquired an intimate knowledge of show business as the son of the Danish singing idol Carl Brisson. Born in Copenhagen, he was taken to England at the age of 10.

He began his career in England as an associate producer on several films. His first independent movie production was Ignace Paderewski's ''Moonlight Sonata.'' Moved to Hollywood

Mr. Brisson later moved to Hollywood. With the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force. After the war, he formed Independent Artists Pictures, which produced the films ''Never Wave at a Wac'' and ''The Velvet Touch.''

''The Pajama Game,'' Mr. Brisson's first Broadway musical venture, in 1954, was a resounding hit, earning more than $3.5 million, and ''Damn Yankees'' earned about $2.5 million. Mr. Brisson and various partners also produced the movie versions of these shows.

In 1969, he realized a long-cherished dream by producing ''Coco,'' a Broadway musical starring Katharine Hepburn and based on the life of the French designer Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel. His final production was a Broadway musical, ''Dance a Little Closer.''

Mr. Brisson was married for 35 years to Miss Russell. He is survived by his second wife, Arlette Janssen, whom he married in 1978 and from whom he was separated, his divorce attorney, Herman H. Tarnow, said yesterday. He is also survived by a son, Lance, and his grandson, James, both of Van Nuys, Calif.

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