Anthony Raymond Sabatino
October 30, 1944-April 10, 1993
Born in Galveston, Texas, Anthony Sabatino had his first big break in the show business world in 1971, when he was hired as art director for the hugely popular television show 'Soul Train'. He went on to act as a production and set designer for award and game shows, television specials and films. He also designed sets in Las Vegas for Gladys Knight and The Pips and Tom Jones. He received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Art Direction For A Variety Or Music Program at the Emmy Awards for his work on the Golden Globes and won in 1989 for 'Fun House'. His connection to the skating world? He made his Broadway debut in 1977 as the set designer for Toller Cranston's acclaimed production "The Ice Show". He passed away on April 10, 1993 at the age of forty-eight.
Anthony's obituary from "The Los Angeles Times": Anthony Sabatino, 48, Emmy award-winning art director who regularly produced the Soul Train Music Awards program. A native of Galveston, Tex., Sabatino earned degrees at the University of Houston and Brandeis University. His 22-year career included films; game shows; television specials for Bing Crosby, Liberace and George Burns; and talk shows for Pat Sajak and Joan Rivers. Nominated for an Emmy eight times, he won in 1988-89 for 'Fun House.' Sabatino became art director of the dance show 'Soul Train' in 1971 and produced its awards show for the past seven years. He also designed other awards shows, including the Golden Globes and the People’s Choice Awards. April 10 in Los Angeles of AIDS."
*Source for inclusion: Obituaries, The Los Angeles Times, April 17, 1993
