Chita Rivera Remembers Agent 'Biff' Liff as 'Simply the Best'

Legendary Broadway producer, manager and agent Samuel 'Biff' Liff passed away yesterday, August 10, at his home in Westchester County, NY. He was 96.

Biff was Broadway icon Chita Rivera's longtime agent at William Morris.

"To know Biff is not with us anymore makes me deeply sad," Rivera said in a statement today, August 11, after the news of his death. "He was my friend (the best), agent (the best), and confidante. Simply the best. I truly loved, adored and respected him. He will always be with me."

Liff spent over seven decades in the theatre industry, working consistently in Broadway houses, as an agent for William Morris, and for producer David Merrick. He got his start as the stage manager of ALONG FIFTH AVENUE in 1949. Liff then went on to manage a number of Broadway's biggest hits, including GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, NINE, DEAR BARBARIANS, THE MATCHMAKER, MY FAIR LADY, and many more.

On the production side, Liff's extensive list of credits include the original Broadway production of HELLO, DOLLY!, OLIVER!, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, PROMISES, PROMISES, THE PHILANTHROPIST, PRIVATE LIVES, THE PENNY WARS, MOONCHILDREN, SUGAR, and TRICKS.

In 2010, Off-Broadway's Primary Stages honored Liff at their annual fundraising gala. At the time, Casey Childs, Founder and Executive Producer at Primary Stages said: "Samuel 'Biff' Liff is a living legend of show business. In his seventy-plus year career - as a stage manager, producer and agent - few people have influenced as many artists. Primary Stages Dedication to New Plays Award has a tradition of celebrating those individuals, like Biff Liff, who have been significantly instrumental in the creation of new work."

By showcasing his diverse contributions to the industry, Primary Stages placed him alongside other honorees such as Patti LuPone and The Baruch-Routh-Frankel-Viertel Group (2008), Daryl Roth and Jack O'Brien (2007), Julie Harris (2006), Susan Stroman (2005), Horton Foote and Primary Stages Founder and Executive Producer Casey Childs (2004), Harvey Fierstein (2003), A.R. Gurney (2001), John Guare (2000), Betty Comden and Adolph Green (1998), Stephen Sondheim (1997), Wendy Wasserstein (1996) and Terrence McNally (1995).

Liff also served as a prominent member of the Tony Awards nominating committee for a number of years.

Photo Credit: Merle Frimark