Robert Jani (1934-1989) was an American event producer who specialized in spectaculars. He is most recognized for his affiliation with the Walt Disney Company and some of its most famous entertainment events. He is also credited with producing the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial Celebration in New York Harbor and the Super Bowl half-time entertainment. In the latter part of his career, he rejuvenated the Radio City Music Hall stage show.

Early Years

Jani was born in Los Angeles in 1934. He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications and Stage Production and Design. He was 21 when he first joined the Disney organization as the head of the newly created Guest Relations Department at Disneyland in 1955.

Early Career

He became Director of Special Events for his alma mater USC after working as the Entertainment Director for the U.S. Army for two years. While working at USC, he is credited with the idea of Tommy Trojan riding Traveler 1 as the school's mascot.

Disney Legacy

In 1961, Jani formed Pacific Pageants, his own private event company. However, by 1967, he rejoined the Disney Organization as Director of Entertainment, replacing his predecessor, Tommy Walker

Tommy Walker

Thomas Luttgen Walker was an American producer of live entertainment events who was director of entertainment at Disneyland during its first twelve years of operation, and later produced spectacular events at celebrations including three Olympic Games and the centennial of the Statue of...

. He quickly rose to vice president, and then to creative director of Walt Disney Productions. Jani created much of the live entertainment that has become a standard at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Among his many achievements were America on Parade and, perhaps his greatest Disney legacy, The Main Street Electrical Parade

Main Street Electrical Parade

The Main Street Electrical Parade is a regularly scheduled parade, created by Bob Jani and project director Ron Miziker, famous for its long run at Disneyland at the Disneyland Resort most summers between 1972–1974, 1977–1982, and 1985-1996...

. The Walt Disney Company inducted him into its "Disney Legends" program in 2005,. Established in 1987, The Disney Legends program acknowledges and honors the individuals whose imagination, talents and dreams have created Disney magic. The Disney organization dedicated a window on Main Street at Disneyland to Jani.

Later Career

In 1978, he formed Robert F. Jani Productions, Inc. and left Disney. Through his own production company, he revitalized Radio City Music Hall's "Magnificent Christmas Spectacular." From 1979 to 1982, he was in charge of all live stage productions and reestablished this New York City landmark from its decade of decline as "The Showplace of the Nation."

Jani created the master plan for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, but he did not provide the staging which eventually was awarded to David L. Wolper. Jani was also artistic director for the Hollywood Bowl, producer of several television specials, and master plan consultant for Disneyland Paris and Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. He worked worldwide as producer and production consultant during his last years. Along with Tommy Walker

Tommy Walker

Thomas Luttgen Walker was an American producer of live entertainment events who was director of entertainment at Disneyland during its first twelve years of operation, and later produced spectacular events at celebrations including three Olympic Games and the centennial of the Statue of...

 and Andrea Elizabeth Michaels

Andrea Elizabeth Michaels

Andrea Elizabeth Michaels is an American meeting and event producer, author and speaker. As founder of an international event production company, Extraordinary Events, Michaels and her company produce large corporate events...

,he is noted as an event industry pioneer.

Death

Robert Jani died in August 1989 at his Palos Verdes Estates home after a three-year struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known commonly as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 54.