Businessman. He is best known as being the owner of the world famous 1970s New York ‘super’ club, Studio 54. Born in New York, Rubell worked in the restaurant and office business before deciding to open the ultimate nightclub. In 1977 with his partner, Ian Schrager, they rented a vacant theater and opened Studio 54 on West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, in April 1977. The idea the two had was to invite anybody and everybody. The club became a non-stop party place, with lots of celebrities, drugs, sex, and alcohol. In the club’s first year of business it made over $7 million dollars. By the end of 1979 studio 54 had lost its popularity and that same year, Rubell and Schrager were arrested by the IRS for tax invasion. The two were given 3 years, but served only 13 months. After there release from prison the two tried to resurrect Studio 54, but failed. They sold the club and went into the hotel business together. In 1989 Steve Rubell died of AIDS. Schrager continues to run the hotel business. (bio by: K)