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{{Short description|British writer}}
[[Image:WMagJuly03.jpg|right|thumb]]
{{BLP sources|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Simon Astaire
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Simon Jack Astaire
| birth_place = London, United Kingdom
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = British
| other_names =
| known_for =
| occupation = novelist , screenwriter, [[media advisor]]
| years_active = 1980–present
| spouse = [[Pilar Ordovas]] (m. 2018)
| children = 2
⚫
}}


'''Simon Jack Astaire''' (born 3 June 1961 in [[London]])<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://lists.lucywho.com/celebrities-born-on-june-3-c19249764.html |title=Celebrities born on June 3|newspaper =lucywho|accessdate=13 Jul 13}}</ref> is an [[author]], [[talent agent]] and [[media advisor]].
''' Simon Jack Astaire''' (born 1961)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/ViRCcxFYLJy3-pjpDWT93V6gqrA/appointments|title=Simon Jack ASTAIRE personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK}}</ref> is a media advisor, novelist, [[screenwriter]], [[film producer]].


==Early life==
⚫
His first novel, ''Private Privilege'', was published Fall 2008 by Quartet Books and became a [[bestseller]]. The story is a rites of passage through the eyes of a public school boy. The sequel ''And You Are?'' was published the following year . It is set in Hollywood, Las Vegas and London. His third novel, ''Mr Coles'', was published in May 2011. It takes place in an [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|English Prep School]] and follows the tortured life of one of its masters. It was described in one review as "illuminating the dark alleys of the human condition".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theculturalpick.com/webzine/simonastairenovels/ |title=Simon Astaire's novels|first=Sam|last=Burcher|newspaper =theculturalpick|accessdate=13 Jul 13}}</ref>
Astaire is the son of stockbroker Edgar Astaire and his former wife, interior designer Lesley, who was subsequently the first wife of artist Bill Jacklin.<ref>The International Who's Who, 63rd edition, Europa Publications, 2000, p. 749</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christies.com/features/Edgar-Astaire-A-Private-View-6162-1.aspx|title=Edgar Astaire: A Private View &#124; Christie's}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thejc.com/culture/interviews/interview-simon-astaire-1.6318| title = Interview: Simon Astaire - The Jewish Chronicle}} </ref> He was educated at [[Wellesley House School]] in Kent, and at [[Harrow School]].<ref name="The Jewish Chronicle Online"/> His uncle was the boxing promoter [[Jarvis Astaire]].<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2002/apr/25/features11.g2|title = No 2,030|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 25 April 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/can-a-pr-prince-win-us-round-to-princess-pushy-rvssdqbr0vf|title=Can a PR prince win us round to Princess Pushy?|last1=Harlow|first1=John}}</ref>
His fourth novel , ''The Last Photograph'', is due for publication in November 2013. The story is set on December 21, 1988; the day of the [[Lockerbie disaster]]. His first authorised biography is the account of soccer star [[Sol Campbell]] due for publication in April 2014.


==Career==
Astaire was recruited by the talent agency [[International Creative Management]] (ICM) UK, where he became the youngest agent yet to be employed by the firm. During his ten-year career as head of young artists (clients included Oscar Winner Rachel Weisz) and international signings at ICM, Simon established a thriving music department.<ref name="The Jewish Chronicle Online">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thejc.com/arts/arts-interviews/interview-simon-astaire
Astaire was recruited by the talent agency [[International Creative Management]] (ICM) UK, where he became the youngest agent yet to be employed by the firm. During his ten-year career as head of young artists (clients included [[Academy Award|Oscar]] Winner [[Rachel Weisz]]) and international signings at ICM, Simon established a thriving music department.<ref name="The Jewish Chronicle Online">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thejc.com/arts/arts-interviews/interview-simon-astaire
|title=Interview: Simon Astaire|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle Online|first=Jenni| last=Frazer|date=20 Nov 2008|accessdate=13 Jul 2013}}</ref>
|title=Interview: Simon Astaire|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle Online|first=Jenni| last=Frazer|date=20 November 2008|accessdate=13 July 2013}}</ref>


In 1997 he became Chief Executive of Protocol Multimedia with diverse media divisions that included personal representation, product and celebrity endorsement and [[Public relations|PR]], working with companies such as [[Bvlgari]], [[Giorgio Armani]], [[Calvin Klein]], [[Alfred Dunhill]] and [[Saatchi & Saatchi]]. [[Charlize Theron]] was contracted to [[Bvlgari]] as [[Lady Helen Taylor]] was to [[Armani]] and Calvin Klein. Astaire negotiated an
In 1997 he became [[Chief Executive]] of Protocol Multimedia with diverse media divisions that included personal representation, product and celebrity endorsement and [[Public relations|PR]], working with companies such as [[Bvlgari]], [[Giorgio Armani]], [[Calvin Klein]], [[Alfred Dunhill]] and [[Saatchi & Saatchi]]. [[Charlize Theron]] was contracted to [[Bvlgari]] as [[Lady Helen Taylor]] was to [[Armani]] and Calvin Klein. Astaire negotiated an unprecedented deal between writer [[Fay Weldon]] and Bvlgari; she was commissioned to write a novel, ''The Bvlgari Connection'' was the first commission of its kind.
unprecedented deal between writer [[Fay Weldon]] and Bvlgari; she was commissioned to write a novel ''The Bvlgari Connection'' in what was the first commission of its kind.


Among Astaire's clients are members of the [[Hollywood]] establishment and the [[British Royal Family]], including [[Prince Michael of Kent|Prince]] and [[Princess Michael of Kent]], Lady Gabriella Windsor, and [[Lord Frederick Windsor]]. He is regularly quoted on their behalf in the national press.
Among Astaire's clients are members of the [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] establishment and the [[British Royal Family]], including [[Prince Michael of Kent|Prince]] and [[Princess Michael of Kent]].


Astaire appears as a pundit regularly on [[CNN]], [[Sky News]], [[Channel 5 (UK)|Five]] and other networks commenting upon all key media and celebrity stories.
Astaire appears as a pundit regularly on [[CNN]], [[Sky News]], [[Channel 5 (UK)|Five]] and other networks commenting upon all critical media and celebrity stories.


===Publications===
He is a trustee of the MTV Foundation, a charitable arm to MTV Networks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dellam.com/04809103-MTV%20EXIT%20FOUNDATION.html
⚫
His first novel, ''[[Private Privilege]]'', was published in 2008 by [[Quartet Books]]. The story is a rite of passage through the eyes of a public schoolboy. The sequel ''[[And You Are?]]'' was published the following year. It is set in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[Las Vegas]] and London. His third novel, ''[[Mr Coles]]'', was published in May 2011. It takes place in an [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|English Prep School]] and follows the tortured life of one of its masters. It was described in one review as "illuminating the dark alleys of the human condition".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theculturalpick.com/webzine/simonastairenovels/|title=Simon Astaire's novels|first=Sam|last=Burcher|newspaper=theculturalpick|accessdate=13 July 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722095216/http://www.theculturalpick.com/webzine/simonastairenovels/|archivedate=22 July 2013}}</ref> His fourth novel, ''[[The Last Photograph (novel)|The Last Photograph]]'', is set on 21 December 1988; the day [[Pan Am Flight 103]] crashed into [[Lockerbie]]. It was [[Hello (magazine)|Hello Magazine]]'s book of the week, and the review described it as being 'emotionally eloquent and a searing study of loss and love.' His first authorised biography is of [[Association football|soccer]] star [[Sol Campbell]]. It was published in March 2014 and was serialised in [[The Sunday Times]]. The biography became [[The Times]] critic's choice of the week. Astaire was nominated as the best 'new' writer at The Best Sports Book Awards of the Year 2015.
|title=MTV Exit Foundation|newspaper=dellam corporate information|accessdate=12 Jul 2013}}</ref>


In September 2018, a regular feature called Station to Station began in The Sunday Telegraph. Astaire's concept is asking his guests 12 questions while taking an imaginary train journey. His first guest was Ian Holm, and his journey choice was Paris to Antibes. It was to be Ian Holm's last interview. The podcast station2station is based on the idea and was published in March 2024. His opening shows featured Sol Campbell, the lyricist Nicky Chinn and Columbian artist Antonio Suarez Londonio. The second series of 8 episodes was released in August 2024.
Born June 3, at [[St Mary's Hospital, London|St Mary's Hospital]] in [[Paddington]], London, to [[stockbroker]] Edgar Astaire and interior designer Lesley Jacklin. He was educated at [[Wellesley House School]] in [[Kent]] and [[Harrow School]].<ref name="The Jewish Chronicle Online" /> Astaire's son, Milo Astaire, was born June 1993. Milo's mother is model [[Saffron Aldridge]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1086163/Nancy-Ulrika-Saffron--sorry-I-commit--blame-public-school-roots-says-Simon-Astaire.html

|title=Nancy, Ulrika, and Saffron...|newspaper=dailymail|first=Laura|last=Collins|date=16 Nov 2008|accessdate=13 Jul 2013}}</ref> His uncle is the sport and property entrepreneur Jarvis Astaire. Astaire has lived much of his working life in London and [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-63235/Has-Ulrika-right-man.html
His daily blog 'Letters to My Daughter' began in March 2020 through World Press.
|title=Has Ulrika found the right man?|newspaper=dailymail|first=David|last=Wilkes|accessdate=13 Jul 2013}}</ref>

In 2021, Astaire and the British artist Bill Jacklin collaborated to create Cressida's Dream. The story of a father and daughter mixed with the cautionary tale of a world on the edge of apocalypse. The novella was published in December 2021.

==Film==
Astaire co-produced the movie ''[[The Last Photograph]]'' based on his novel of the same title. He also wrote the [[screenplay]]. The film was shot in [[Central London]] and [[Lockerbie]], Scotland. It is directed by [[Danny Huston]] and stars Danny Huston, [[Sarita Choudhury]], [[Stacy Martin]]. The world premiere was at the Edinburgh Film Festival in June 2017. It was shortlisted for The Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film. Its first US screening was at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October 2107. The film was released at selected United States theatres on 6 September 2019 and is available on all major platforms. The critic Joan Lowerison wrote," "Simon Astaire's brilliantly-written script offers sudden time shifts, black-and-white and colour shots, even some blurry shots, and sudden unnerving emotional outbursts illustrating Tom's interior struggle."
The film got its UK release in April 2021.
==Personal life==
Astaire has a son, Milo, with his former partner, model [[Saffron Aldridge]]. and a daughter Paloma with gallerist [[Pilar Ordovas]]. They married in New York City in 2018 .<ref name="theguardian.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/fashion/weddings/sting-best-man-for-simon-astaire-and-pilar-ordovas-wedding.html|title = She Crumbled the Fortress Around His Heart|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 18 January 2019|last1 = Strauss|first1 = Alix}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,13887,1133389,00.html "While sophisticated in many of the ways of the world, I don’t think that he's ever been east of Sloane Square."] - [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] about Simon Astaire.
* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,13887,1133389,00.html "While sophisticated in many of the ways of the world, I don’t think that he's ever been east of Sloane Square."] - [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] about Simon Astaire.


{{authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->

| NAME = Astaire, Simon
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1961
| PLACE OF BIRTH = PADDINGTON, LONDON
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astaire, Simon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astaire, Simon}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Harrow School]]
[[Category:People educated at Harrow School]]
[[Category:21st-century British novelists]]
[[Category:People from Paddington]]
[[Category:People from Paddington]]
[[Category:British public relations people]]
[[Category:British public relations people]]
[[Category:Writers from London]]

Latest revision as of 01:00, 15 December 2024

Simon Astaire
Born
Simon Jack Astaire

London, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)novelist , screenwriter, media advisor
Years active1980–present
SpousePilar Ordovas (m. 2018)
Children2

Simon Jack Astaire (born 1961)[1] is a media advisor, novelist, screenwriter, film producer.

Early life

[edit]

Astaire is the son of stockbroker Edgar Astaire and his former wife, interior designer Lesley, who was subsequently the first wife of artist Bill Jacklin.[2][3][4] He was educated at Wellesley House School in Kent, and at Harrow School.[5] His uncle was the boxing promoter Jarvis Astaire.[6][7]

Career

[edit]

Astaire was recruited by the talent agency International Creative Management (ICM) UK, where he became the youngest agent yet to be employed by the firm. During his ten-year career as head of young artists (clients included Oscar Winner Rachel Weisz) and international signings at ICM, Simon established a thriving music department.[5]

In 1997 he became Chief Executive of Protocol Multimedia with diverse media divisions that included personal representation, product and celebrity endorsement and PR, working with companies such as Bvlgari, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Alfred Dunhill and Saatchi & Saatchi. Charlize Theron was contracted to Bvlgari as Lady Helen Taylor was to Armani and Calvin Klein. Astaire negotiated an unprecedented deal between writer Fay Weldon and Bvlgari; she was commissioned to write a novel, The Bvlgari Connection was the first commission of its kind.

Among Astaire's clients are members of the Hollywood establishment and the British Royal Family, including Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Astaire appears as a pundit regularly on CNN, Sky News, Five and other networks commenting upon all critical media and celebrity stories.

Publications

[edit]

His first novel, Private Privilege, was published in 2008 by Quartet Books. The story is a rite of passage through the eyes of a public schoolboy. The sequel And You Are? was published the following year. It is set in Hollywood, Las Vegas and London. His third novel, Mr Coles, was published in May 2011. It takes place in an English Prep School and follows the tortured life of one of its masters. It was described in one review as "illuminating the dark alleys of the human condition".[8] His fourth novel, The Last Photograph, is set on 21 December 1988; the day Pan Am Flight 103 crashed into Lockerbie. It was Hello Magazine's book of the week, and the review described it as being 'emotionally eloquent and a searing study of loss and love.' His first authorised biography is of soccer star Sol Campbell. It was published in March 2014 and was serialised in The Sunday Times. The biography became The Times critic's choice of the week. Astaire was nominated as the best 'new' writer at The Best Sports Book Awards of the Year 2015.

In September 2018, a regular feature called Station to Station began in The Sunday Telegraph. Astaire's concept is asking his guests 12 questions while taking an imaginary train journey. His first guest was Ian Holm, and his journey choice was Paris to Antibes. It was to be Ian Holm's last interview. The podcast station2station is based on the idea and was published in March 2024. His opening shows featured Sol Campbell, the lyricist Nicky Chinn and Columbian artist Antonio Suarez Londonio. The second series of 8 episodes was released in August 2024.

His daily blog 'Letters to My Daughter' began in March 2020 through World Press.

In 2021, Astaire and the British artist Bill Jacklin collaborated to create Cressida's Dream. The story of a father and daughter mixed with the cautionary tale of a world on the edge of apocalypse. The novella was published in December 2021.

Film

[edit]

Astaire co-produced the movie The Last Photograph based on his novel of the same title. He also wrote the screenplay. The film was shot in Central London and Lockerbie, Scotland. It is directed by Danny Huston and stars Danny Huston, Sarita Choudhury, Stacy Martin. The world premiere was at the Edinburgh Film Festival in June 2017. It was shortlisted for The Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film. Its first US screening was at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October 2107. The film was released at selected United States theatres on 6 September 2019 and is available on all major platforms. The critic Joan Lowerison wrote," "Simon Astaire's brilliantly-written script offers sudden time shifts, black-and-white and colour shots, even some blurry shots, and sudden unnerving emotional outbursts illustrating Tom's interior struggle." The film got its UK release in April 2021.

Personal life

[edit]

Astaire has a son, Milo, with his former partner, model Saffron Aldridge. and a daughter Paloma with gallerist Pilar Ordovas. They married in New York City in 2018 .[6][9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Simon Jack ASTAIRE personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  2. ^ The International Who's Who, 63rd edition, Europa Publications, 2000, p. 749
  3. ^ "Edgar Astaire: A Private View | Christie's".
  4. ^ "Interview: Simon Astaire - The Jewish Chronicle".
  5. ^ a b Frazer, Jenni (20 November 2008). "Interview: Simon Astaire". The Jewish Chronicle Online. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  6. ^ a b "No 2,030". TheGuardian.com. 25 April 2002.
  7. ^ Harlow, John. "Can a PR prince win us round to Princess Pushy?".
  8. ^ Burcher, Sam. "Simon Astaire's novels". theculturalpick. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  9. ^ Strauss, Alix (18 January 2019). "She Crumbled the Fortress Around His Heart". The New York Times.
[edit]
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