Who Gets a Caricature Portrait at Sardi’s?

With caricature-covered walls and even a special Actor’s Menu, Sardi’s is interwoven with the fabric of the Broadway theatre community. There are likely few theatre people among us who haven't dined in at the restaurant before a performance, imbibed with a post-show martini, or simply popped inside to admire the art. Multiple times a year, there is a special ceremony held on the fourth floor of Sardi’s to unveil the newest portraits, immortalizing theatrical luminaries on the walls. But who exactly gets to have a caricature done?

In his book Off The Wall at Sardi’s, the late former owner Vincent Sardi Jr. stated that “you have to make your mark pretty indelibly on stage or screen before you make it to the walls of Sardi’s.” For nearly a century, notable members of the theatre community, and sometimes otherwise (such as multiple New York City mayors, boxer Jack Dempsey, and more) have been bestowed this honor. 

Current owner of the restaurant, Max Klimavicus, told this writer over the phone that “they don’t necessarily have to be a star yet, but be a friend of the house.” He cited Whoopi Goldberg’s ascent to fame as an example. The EGOT winner became a regular at Sardi’s during the run of her one-woman piece Spook Show in 1983, “then she got a portrait.” Being a regular at the restaurant made her an aforementioned friend of the house.

Since its opening in 1921 - and relocation to the current address in 1927 - folks in show business have been to Sardi’s to dine and even be seen dining. It has gone on to be the premier Broadway hub for mealtime meetings, casting conversations, press events, and opening night celebrations ever since. In fact, the seedling of what would become the Tony Awards was born in Sardi’s dining room. All of this activity at Sardi’s has been under the watchful eye(s) of the portrait collection on the walls. 

The caricature tradition commenced in the late 1920s when Vincent Sardi Sr. hired Alex Gard to draw portraits for the walls of the venue. Sardi Sr. observed Gard making sketches of patrons on napkins, thus hatching the idea to decorate the restaurant with famous faces. The initial agreement between Sardi and Gard was simple, according to Klimavicius. “It was a barter deal: the artist would receive one free meal a day in exchange for his work.” Gard was given autonomy to choose his subjects, who included Barbra Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Bert Lahr, and beyond. 

Only four artists have drawn the legendary caricatures at Sardi’s: Alex Gard, John Mackey, Donald Bevan, and the current artist, Richard Baratz, who began his tenure in 1974. Baratz alone has commissioned over a third of the nearly 1,500 portraits in the collection. 2024’s additions have included Eddie Redmayne & Gayle Rankin, Sarah Paulson, and Leslie Odom Jr. Nowadays, the barter deal between the artist and restaurant is no longer, and Baratz is paid per commission. 

Gard’s style of drawing a caricature often greatly (and comically) accentuated the features of the celebrity being honored. “Many of the subjects hated Gard’s drawings, because some of them were grotesque,” lamented Klimavicius. “He was a true caricaturist.” The Baratz route is kinder and fairer to its subjects. “This has become the unofficial Hall of Fame for Broadway, so they are more so portraits nowadays.” Baratz, who lives in Washington D.C., uses publicist-submitted headshots of the subject as a starting point, and draws from there. “No one sees the finished product before it is unveiled. Not even the star.” 

The secrecy of the finished caricature can lead to unease among its subjects, and has caused a stir from time to time, as there is one caveat that determines if one of the portraits actually ends up on display. “No caricature goes on the wall unless the subject signs it,” according to Vincent Sardi Jr. in his book. Bette Midler famously wasn’t fond of the initial caricature created in her honor, so it was redone. The revised version got the signature of approval, thus earning a spot on the wall.

In the modern era of Sardi’s, the idea for who gets this esteemed recognition doesn’t come from the restaurant nor the caricaturist. The devoted press teams and publicists for the headlining stars of the current Broadway season pitch their clients to Sardi’s owner Max Klimavicius. “We get requests daily for people who want to be on the wall,” Klimavicus explained. “Publicity in today’s world has made it an event, which we call the unveiling.” From there, he alone makes the final decision of who will adorn the walls of his business. How does Kilmavicius make that decision? “I look at the Broadway season ahead, and considering we typically commission about 20 portraits a year, decide from there. As I explained, they have to be a friend of the house.”

Each time Baratz’s work is unveiled, Sardi’s hosts a ceremony with a champagne reception on its top level. Close friends and family of the honoree are welcomed for this momentous event, including many theatre professionals who already adorn the walls. For example, Jonathan Groff’s recent portrait reveal included special remarks from Sutton Foster, and was attended by  Daniel Radcliffe, Lindsay Mendez, Alfred Molina, Phillipa Soo, Gideon Glick, and more.

Kilmavicius said that each Sardi’s portrait unveiling is memorable. “It’s a true pleasure to see the excitement on their face,” he went on. “They usually exclaim a sigh of relief.” Sardi’s owner remarked that most of the subjects are a bit nervous beforehand, but Baratz's work ultimately captures them well. 

With a very starry 2024-2025 Broadway season in store, keep an eye out for more famous faces than ever to become part of Broadway’s Wall of Fame. But only if they sign their portrait first. 

Photo Credit: Bruce Glikas