In the heart of New York's theater district, Sardi's restaurant is not just a dining destination; it’s a gallery of Broadway history. Yet, this iconic establishment has become a hotspot for theft, particularly of its beloved caricatures.
Among the nearly 1,000 portraits lining the walls, Kermit the Frog stands out as the most frequently stolen. “Kermit was taken three times before we finally secured him to the wall,” said Johnny Felidi, the restaurant's maître d' for over two decades. This peculiar trend raises eyebrows, especially as the restaurant prepares for the Tony Awards.
Barbra Streisand's portrait also faced a similar fate. After her original caricature vanished in 1963, it took 55 years for her to agree to a replacement. “You’ll love what she wrote on it — ‘Don’t steal this one,’” Felidi recounted, highlighting the restaurant's unique relationship with its celebrity patrons.
Other notable absences include Julie Andrews, whose portrait was missing for years before resurfacing at an auction. Receptionist Lydia DeLuca shared insights from her summer project cataloging the portraits, noting that Bob Hope’s caricature was stolen by a bar patron caught on security cameras.
“We got their credit card info and called them up. They were belligerent, but we said we didn’t want to involve law enforcement. They returned it,” Felidi explained, illustrating the lengths to which Sardi's staff will go to recover their treasures.
Due to the ongoing thefts, the originals of these priceless artworks are now kept in a safe. This policy began in 1986 after James Cagney’s portrait was stolen on the night of his death. “That night, his caricature disappeared and has never been seen again,” Felidi lamented.
The tradition of caricatures at Sardi's began when founder Vincent Sardi hired Alex Gard, a Russian immigrant, to create portraits in exchange for meals. Today, Richard Baratz, a former engraver for the treasury department, continues this legacy with his detailed sketches.
This season, Baratz added portraits of Broadway stars like Nick Jonas and Denzel Washington, who is nominated for a Tony for his role in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Andrew Lloyd Webber also received his long-awaited caricature after scheduling conflicts delayed its unveiling.
Current owner Max Klimavicius decides which portraits to remove to make space for new additions. The restaurant’s storage facility holds around 500 portraits, while approximately 230 have been donated to the New York Public Library.
Strategically placed portraits create a narrative within the restaurant. Celebrity couples like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are displayed side by side, while separated portraits of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor prevent any potential drama.
When Tony Danza had his portrait done after starring in “Chicago,” he made one request: “Please put me next to Sammy Davis Jr. and never take me away.”
Interestingly, two former employees who worked at Sardi's before achieving fame have their caricatures displayed. Martin Sheen, who served as a busboy in the 1960s, is immortalized on the first floor. However, Chevy Chase’s portrait remains in limbo; he often asks about it during visits. “I tell him it’s in the office waiting for his signature,” Felidi said with a chuckle.
The saga of stolen portraits at Sardi's continues to unfold, blending the worlds of art and celebrity in a uniquely New York fashion.
