Gino Empry (Emperatori)

Section 19, Lot 262
Prospect Cemetery


Born on October 11, 1945, Gino Emperatori was a publicist and personal manager. He grew up near Dufferin Street and Davenport Road, and became known as “Mr. Entertainment” for his wealth of industry contacts and his larger-than-life charisma. His clients included Tony Bennet, Peggy Lee, Cher, Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, Marlene Dietrich, Tammy Wynette and Roy Orbison. Empry signed his first client in the 1960s — the Royal Alexandra Theatre, thus kicking off a lifelong friendship with owner Ed Mirvish. His fame skyrocketed when Empry started booking the Royal York’s Imperial Room, Canada’s top nightclub, in the ‘70s. Gino Empry died October 14, 2006.

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