Bob Giraldi (born January 17, 1939) is an American film and television director,

educator A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...

, and

restaurateur A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspec ...

. He is known for directing the film ''

Dinner Rush ''Dinner Rush'' is a 2000 American independent feature film, written by Brian S. Kalata and Rick Shaughnessy, and directed by Bob Giraldi. It stars Danny Aiello as a restaurateur-bookmaker in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood and Edoardo Ball ...

'' (2000) and the music video for

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...

's '' Beat It'' (1983). Giraldi has been inducted into the Art Director’s Hall of Fame, one of the few film directors to be honored; and, in 2014, was the first director ever to be inducted to the Advertising Hall of Fame. His work has garnered several London International Awards, Cannes Advertising Awards, NY International Awards,

Addy Awards The American Advertising Federation (AAF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the oldest national advertising trade association A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry ...

, Chicago Film Festival Awards, and dozens of Clio Awards. He has been named one of the 101 Stars Behind 100 Years of Advertising.

Early life

Giraldi was born on January 17, 1939 in

Paterson, New Jersey Paterson ( ) is the largest City (New Jersey), city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. to a working-class Italian-American family. He attended Eastside High School. Giraldi attended

Pratt Institute Pratt Institute is a private university with its main campus in Brooklyn, New York (state), New York. It has a satellite campus in Manhattan and an extension campus in Utica, New York at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The school was ...

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

, graduating with a

Bachelor of Fine Arts A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a standard undergraduate degree for students for pursuing a professional education in the visual, fine or performing arts. It is also called Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) in some cases. Background The Bachelor ...

degree in 1960. He was a student of Herschel Levit. In 1960, he worked as a graphic designer at General Motors in Detroit, then spent the next nine years as an art director and creative supervisor at the advertising agency

Young & Rubicam VMLY&R is an American marketing and Marketing communications, communications company specializing in advertising, Digital media, digital and social media, sales promotion, direct marketing and brand identity consulting, formed from the merger of ...

and Della Femina & Partners. In 1965, teaching advertising at

The School of Visual Arts The School of Visual Arts New York City (SVA NYC) is a private for-profit art school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 and is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. History This school was started by ...

in New York he became the chair of the Advertising Department. In 1968, President

Silas Rhodes Silas H. Rhodes (September 15, 1915 – June 27, 2007) was an American educator and co-founder of a trade school for illustrators and cartoonists that eventually became the School of Visual Arts, one of the premier U.S. colleges for art and design. ...

appointed him the Assistant Director of the school. During the Vietnam War, Giraldi stepped down and remained on the school's board of directors, and today is the chair of the Masters in Director’s Program. Then in 1981 he directed and produced a film "Burnt Umber", a recruitment film featuring a then-unknown actor

Denzel Washington Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has been described as an actor who reconfigured "the concept of classic movie stardom". Throughout his career spanning over four decades, Washington ha ...

for SVA's recruitment program. In 1970, Giraldi left his career at the advertising agency DellaFemina & Partners to form his production company Giraldi Productions, which has produced and directed close to 5,000 commercials, music videos and short films.

Career

Advertising

Bob Giraldi has produced and directed over 5,000 unique visual marketing and advertising pieces. Directing his first commercials at the ad agency Della Femina in the late 1960s before moving on to form his own company with Phil Suarez in the 1970s, Giraldi has had success as a commercial director over the years, picking up numerous awards along the way. Although there have been several feature and short films, music videos, and restaurants to distract Giraldi from his commercial work down the years, he has never strayed far from the medium and the business that he owes it all to. Still working and producing fine work to this day, Giraldi runs his own production company, Giraldi Media, out of New York and Los Angeles, with a network of other commercial directors connected through the company.

Music videos

His narrative and musical storytelling abilities were first seen in Michael Jackson's ''Beat It'' (1983) music video, as the video swept the country and won numerous awards including that year's American Music Award, the Billboard Music Award and the People’s Choice Award. Originally the ''Beat It'' video was to be directed by

Steve Barron Steven Barron (born 4 May 1956) is an Irish-British filmmaker. He is best known for directing the music videos for the songs "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, "Summer of '69" and " Run to You" by Bryan Adams, " Money for Nothing" by Dire Stra ...

, however his theme for the video was rejected. Giraldi was hand-picked by Jackson himself after the singer saw an Eye Witness News commercial directed by Giraldi, about an elderly blind couple holding a block party for their new Black and Hispanic neighbors, the ''Beat It'' video featured cast members that were real life members of the

Bloods The Bloods are a primarily African-American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. It is identified by the red color worn by its members and by particular gang symbols, includin ...

and the

Crips The Crips is an alliance of street gangs that is based in the coastal regions of Southern California. Founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969, mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams, the Crips were initially a single alliance ...

. Next up was making the first music video to ever feature dialogue, as Giraldi directed

Pat Benatar Patricia Mae Giraldo (''née'' Andrzejewski, formerly Benatar; born January 10, 1953), known professionally as Pat Benatar, is an American rock singer and songwriter. In the United States, she has had two multi-platinum albums, five platinum alb ...

's "

Love is a Battlefield "Love Is a Battlefield" is a song by American singer Pat Benatar, recorded and released on September 12, 1983, as a single from Benatar's live album '' Live from Earth'' (1983), though the song itself was a studio recording. It was written by Ho ...

" soon after, before directing

Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of funk band the Commodores; writing and recordi ...

's "

Hello ''Hello'' is a salutation or greeting in the English language. It is first attested in writing from 1826. Early uses ''Hello'', with that spelling, was used in publications in the U.S. as early as the 18 October 1826 edition of the '' Norwich ...

." He directed Michael Jackson again, this time with

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

for their song, ''

Say Say Say "Say Say Say" is a song written and performed by English musician Paul McCartney and American musician Michael Jackson, released in October 1983 as the lead single to McCartney's 1983 album ''Pipes of Peace''. Produced by George Martin, the son ...

''. He continued to win acclaim and define the future of the medium, working with musicians such as

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, Pop musi ...

Diana Ross Diana Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, who became Motown's most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world's best-selling girl groups o ...

Ricky Martin Enrique Martín Morales (born December 24, 1971), known professionally as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his musical versatility, with his Ricky Martin albums discography, discography spanning ...

Hall & Oates Daryl Hall and John Oates, commonly known as Hall & Oates, are an American pop rock duo formed in Philadelphia in 1970. Daryl Hall is generally the lead vocalist; John Oates primarily plays electric guitar and provides backing vocals. The two ...

Will Smith Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He began his Will Smith filmography, acting career starring as Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), a ...

Barry Manilow Barry Manilow (born Barry Alan Pincus; June 17, 1943) is an American singer and songwriter with a career that spans seven decades. His hit recordings include "Could It Be Magic", " Somewhere Down the Road", " Mandy", "I Write the Songs", " Can ...

, and

Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B singer, actress and businesswoman. LaBelle is referred to as the " Godmother of Soul". She began her career in the early 1960s as lead singe ...

Films

Giraldi made three feature films in the 1980s, directing

Jon Cryer Jonathan Niven Cryer (born April 16, 1965) is an American actor, writer, director and producer. Born into a show business family, he made his motion picture debut as a teenage photographer in the 1984 romantic comedy ''No Small Affair''; his bre ...

's ''

Hiding Out ''Hiding Out'' is a 1987 American comedy-drama film starring Jon Cryer as a state's witness who disguises himself as a high school student in order to avoid being killed by the mob. Plot Revealed shortly into the movie, Andrew Morenski and two ...

'' (1987), as well as ''

National Lampoon's Movie Madness ''National Lampoon's Movie Madness'' is a 1982 American comedy film produced by '' National Lampoon'' as the second film from the magazine. The film was originally produced under the title ''National Lampoon Goes to the Movies''; completed in 1981, ...

'' (1983) and ''Club Med'' (1985), before directing his fourth, and most critically acclaimed feature film, ''

'' a decade later. ''

'' (2000), with Danny Aiello,

John Corbett John Joseph Corbett Jr. (born May 9, 1961) is an American actor and country music singer. On television, he is best known for his roles as Chris Stevens on ''Northern Exposure'' (1990–1995), Aidan Shaw on ''Sex and the City'' (2000–2003), ...

and

Sandra Bernhard Sandra Bernhard (born June 6, 1955) is an American actress, singer, comedian and author. She first gained attention in the late 1970s with her stand-up comedy, where she often critiqued celebrity culture and political figures. She is perhaps b ...

, was filmed at the Tribeca restaurant ''Gigino'' which is partially owned by Giraldi. The film appeared on a number of 2001's 'Top 10 Lists' and was selected for the 'New Directors/New Films Series' at MoMA. ''

'' was also listed by Roger Ebert as "One of the Best 100 Films in the Last 10 Years." Giraldi's short film, ''The Routine'', premiered at Sundance, won Best Drama at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, and is in the MoMA's permanent collection. Another short, ''My Hometown'', is in the Baseball Hall of Fame's permanent collection and two short films; ''Dream Begins'' and ''A Peculiar City'', both integral parts of New York’s national Olympic bid, are now part of MoMA's permanent collection. His 2008 film ''Second Guessing Grandma'' with

Kathleen Chalfant Kathleen Ann Chalfant (née Bishop; born January 14, 1945) is an American actress. She has appeared in many stage plays, both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as making guest appearances on television series, including the '' Law & Order'' ...

, examining the coming out of a twenty-something to his 83 year-old grandmother received the 'Jury Award' for 'Short Narrative at the 27th Annual Chicago International Film Festival' and won the 'Audience Award for Best Short' at the Fresno Reel Pride Festival. It was also selected to be in the new 'Google YouTube Screening Room', after it was the #3 most viewed video of the 2008 holiday season. Giraldi directed the short film; ''A Poet Long Ago'' (2014), based on a short story written by Pete Hamill and starring Steve Schirripa, and Boris McGiver. ''A Conversational Place'' (2015), with Emmy winner

Marilyn Sokol Marilyn Roberta Sokol (born February 22, 1944) is an American actress, musician, comedian, and producer, perhaps best known for her roles as Lulu Brecht in ''Can't Stop the Music'' (1980) and as Ma Otter in '' Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas'' ...

, ''New Year's Eve @ Sunny's'' (2016), ''Superfriends'' (2017), and ''The Whisperer'' (2018) are all currently making the rounds in several film festivals across the globe.

Culinary

Giraldi has been a partial owner of many noted restaurants in New York City including ''Positano'', ''European Union'', ''Patria'' (opened 1994), ''Jo–Jo'' , ''Vong'', ''Mercer Kitchen, Butcher Bay'' (opened 2009), ''BREADTribeca'' (opened 2003), ''Prime'' (in Las Vegas)'', Vongerichten'' (opened 1999), ''Jean Georges'' (opened 1997), and ''Gigino'' (opened 1994). Working alongside executive chefs such as

Jean-Georges Vongerichten Jean-Georges Vongerichten (; ; born in Alsace, France, on 16 March 1957) is a French chef.

, Douglas Rodriquez, Luigi Celentano, Jason Hennings, and others. It started in the 1990s, Bob Giraldi with his then film partner, Phil Suarez, and the fresh to New York City chef,

Jean-Georges Vongerichten Jean-Georges Vongerichten (; ; born in Alsace, France, on 16 March 1957) is a French chef.

opened the New York City restaurant, ''Jo-Jo. Jo-Jo'' was a new business model for Vongerichten offering French cuisine at affordable prices. In 1995, Giraldi and Executive Producer, Patti Greaney, created the original website StarChefs.com, featuring celebrity chefs and cookbook authors. Giraldi appeared on the TV series, ''Celebrity Taste Makers'', with Danny Aiello, discussing his experience in the restaurant business, as well as the making of ''

'' which has, over the years, earned its reputation as the original inspiration for the galaxy of food shows, both reality and fictional, that crowd the media landscape of today.

References

External links

Official website
*
Art Directors Club biography, portrait and images of workMPS LIve Action Short Film program at SVA
{{DEFAULTSORT:Giraldi, Bob American television directors American music video directors American film directors of Italian descent 1939 births Living people Eastside High School (Paterson, New Jersey) alumni Film directors from New Jersey People from Paterson, New Jersey Pratt Institute alumni Television commercial directors