Irwin Held

Irwin Held (July 1, 1925 - June 17, 2013) was an American restaurateur, known for being a longtime owner of Barney's Beanery through years 1970 and 1999. Held was born in The Bronx, New York in 1925. In 1970, he moved to Santa Monica, California and was promoted to an owner by BB founder, John Anthony. Held was told by Anthony to cover the restaurant with anti-gay signs to insist that gays weren't welcome to the restaurant, Anthony's restaurant was regularly raided by police and he was fined for allowing gays people into his restaurant and strongly suggested Held didn't welcome homosexual activity into the restaurant for the same cause. Held suffered the consequences and was constantly bothered by gay rights activists. His Santa Monica Blvd restaurant was also famous for attracting rock musicians such as Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin.[1]

Personal life

Held served in the United States Marine Corps. In 1950, he moved to Los Angeles and worked in the Barney's Beanery business. He is survived by 2 daughters, 1 son and 4 grand children.[2]

References
  1. "Irwin Held, former Barney's Beanery owner, dies at 87". WeHo Ville. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  2. "Irwin Held dies at 87; longtime owner of Barney's Beanery". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 June 2013.


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