Allen Zwerdling, Co-Founder of BACK STAGE Passes Away at 86

Variety has reported the sad news that Allen Zwerdling, co-founder and co-publisher of Back Stage, died of natural causes on Jan. 12 in Rosendale, NY. He was 86. In 1960, he created Back Stage, the performing arts trade paper, with Ira Eaker, with Zwerdling serving as editor, and Eaker as advertising director.

Zwerdlin started as an actor in the late 1930s, and launched Backstage after serving in the Army Air Force, directing, acting, teaching and newspaper editing. He served as editor of Show Business, a theatrical trade journal where he met Eaker who was the paper's advertising director. After a dozen years, Zwerdling and Eaker left and eventually began Back Stage describes Variety.

Variety details that on Dec. 2, 1960, he and Eaker published the first issue of Back Stage, touting the promise to offer readers "a new, complete service weekly for the entertainment industry."

Zwerdling's wife of 62 years, Shirley, died four weeks prior to his death.

He is survived by two daughters, a son, and a grandson.

To read the entire Variety article click here.