Marc Roth

1932 - 2021

Roth, Marc
1932 - 2021

I met Marc when I was 24, I am now 74; we were together 50 years. Marc was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, he was awarded the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Medal of Art. Manhattan here I come.

The Circle in the Square, first stop for an ok actor. A terrible waiter, he decided to go to The Dramatic Workshop and Technical Institute for the New School of Social Research working with the legendary director Erwin Piscator. His first play directed by Piscator was The Scapegoat. Marc was part of the lighting crew and a small part in the play during the crowd scene. He acted along with Ben Gazzara, also a crowd scene part, as well as Assistant Stage Manager. Marc shared stories of the New School with Elaine Stritch and Shelly Winters during summer stock.

The Paper Mill Playhouse, Angelo del Rossi "High Button Shoes" Marc did the costumes for the rest of the summer productions.

Brooks Costume Co., his favorite job ever. Sir Cecil Beaton asked for someone to shop for a scene he was working on for a production of My Fair Lady, the Ascot Scene. Marc did the fabric shopping. He presented it to Mr. Beaton at the old Summit Hotel on Lexington, the Presidential Suite, it went well. He also worked and shopped with greats Ann Roth, Irene Sharif and Florence Klotz.

Marc went on to open his own store on Third Avenue called Ditz. He sold what he liked. A New York Magazine article was written about Ditz and off he went, Milton Glaser, Peter Max, who sold whatever he was doing at the time, and remained friends for years. Sybil Burton who opened Arthurs, a club in Manhattan loved Marc's party design and used him along with Hermine Gingold hanging Chinese paper lanterns on her terrace "it was magic" she said.

Hubert Givenchy met Marc at the Phil Blacks Ball at the Waldorf Astoria. He said to Marc "you are an evening man". Weegee, famed photographer, caught Marc leaving in costume at the Art Students League Ball early one morning posing for a few photos. Marc proudly represented Manhattan in the Mummers Day Parade 1951. He was Rose of Washington Square.

1952 Marc enlisted in the Army, he was stationed in Georgia where the base Commander's wife, Mrs. Schwimmer, fell in love with Marc's sketches of costumes, sets and lighting. Marc received his orders to report to Fontainebleu, France. Mrs. Schwimmer rescinded his orders and he stayed on the base until he was discharged; he loved the Army.

Berlin, Germany for one year he was part owner of the Kleist Casino on Kleist Strasse then sold the casino and traveled to eastern Europe and ended up in Side, Turkey where at American Express he received a notice to come to Denver, Colorado. He did and designed a small Department Store for a friend. He finished that and in the basement of the same building he designed a restaurant for Al Stromberg, a 1960's Aspen, Colorado restauranteur. They hit it off wonderfully and Al knew Denver's theatre impresario Mr. Bobby Garner who brought to Denver shows from Broadway and all over the U.S. Every star he could convince to go to Strombergs, he did and he brought Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Becall, Lillian Gish even Bette Davis. The building was sold and Al had to move so off to Cherry Creek just about 15 minutes from his old place. Al opened Strombergs Penthouse the top floor of a four story building. It was beautiful with Marc's design using Art Deco accessories, a dance floor and great bar, he even had the elevator doors and frame mirrored. One day the elevator doors opened and out stepped Leona and Harry Helmsley in town to buy a pair of twin office towers and one hotel, but no deal so they had lunch at Strombergs Penthouse and flew home to NYC in their 737.

Leona called Marc from NYC, she said "My name is Leona Helmsley, have you ever heard me?"
Marc said, "No".
Leona said, "You're Fired".

Leona hired Marc to design the flagship hotel for the Harley Hotels (26 of them), The Harley Hotel of Orlando, Florida. It took a year but at the end she said "darling I have work for you for the next 100 years". Leona lived for 26 of them and Marc did the 737, the Arizona Property, every I'm just wild about Harry birthday party and every Leona Helmsley birthday party. One in particular the Helmsley residence "Dunellen Hall" on round hill road where "The Donald" at the bar getting a drink Marc said "nice party isn't it?" "The Donald said "I'm not good at small talk" got his drink (with two tiny hands - just saying) turned and walked away.

The Denver Broncos owner of the NFL team Mr. Pat Bowlen and his beautiful wife Annabel Bowlen, hired Marc in 1987 in Honolulu at their residence in Kahala. That relationship lasted for 30 years designing the Honolulu home, the Denver residence, countless parties including two Super bowl back to back wins, the Owners Box in the New Stadium. So many wonderful times, in fact Annabel said to Marc "I love you Marc, what would I do without you, you are like family to me". Years later Annabel said live on local TV that she had Alzheimer's Disease. Pat Bowlen had died of the disease and the Denver Broncos are for sale. The end of a magnificent era.

Ralph Lauren came to Denver to view the new Polo Shop Marc designed along with a new retrospective fashion show at the D.A.M. where Marc designed the table scapes as well. Ralph Lauren liked the new shop so much he sent a letter to Marc saying so and hired him to design the Palm Desert, California store.

Dana Crawford, founder of Larimer Square, a historical preservation project with offices, restaurants, shops and bars hired Marc if he came along with her purchases. (Marc asked Dana if she would like to buy the entire interior of an old Denver store and she said yes). From events to shop interiors, Christmas décor, the first Parade of Lights in Denver and so much more Dana said he gave 110%

Marc's wonderful and close friend Millicent Safro. Millicent owned "Tender Buttons" the greatest button store in the whole world, she loved Marc all the way back in High School. We lost Marc December 19, 2021. He will be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery here in Denver, Colorado.

He is survived by his husband of 50 years, James Pfister. Marc's nephew Mr. Scott Roth and his wife Gabriela and their two children daughter Alexa and son Santiago Roth all of San Diego, California.

Charitable donations may be made to: We Don't Waste, Denver, CO.