Nick De Noia

Nicholas John De Noia Jr. (May 14, 1941 – April 7, 1987), known professionally as Nick De Noia, was an American director and choreographer known for his work as choreographer of the Chippendales dance troupe and for his Unicorn Tales shorts for young audiences, for which he won two Emmy Awards.

Nick De Noia

De Noia was married to Jennifer O'Neill from 1975 to 1976.

Murder

On April 7, 1987, at 3:40 PM, De Noia was shot in the face with a large caliber pistol while sitting at his 15th floor office desk at 264 West 40th Street, Manhattan located near the garment district.[1] He was shot by a man hired by Ray Colon, who was an accomplice to Steve Banerjee. At the time, De Noia no longer worked for Banerjee but had a licensing arrangement through a company called Chippendales Universal to use the name Chippendales for tour engagements. Banerjee was dissatisfied with the business arrangement which was memorialized on a cocktail napkin. Banerjee tried unsuccessfully to break the contract in New York courts. The murder of Nick DeNoia was orchestrated by Banerjee along with the burning of a competitor's Red Onion nightclub. Banerjee pleaded guilty to murder, arson and RICO charges in July 1994. Chippendales was owned by Steve Banerjee who bought a failing backgammon nightclub "Destiny II" in 1975 and renamed it "Chippendales".[2][3] Under a plea bargain, Banerjee pleaded guilty to be sentenced to 26 years in prison.[4] Banerjee committed suicide while awaiting final sentencing in prison. Chippendales remained with Banerjee's wife.

Tony Scott was working on a film about the Chippendales murders at the time of his own death.

References


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