Introduction
Sy Kravitz (December 10, 1924 — October 29, 2005) was an American news producer and assignment editor for NBC Television. He was the father of acclaimed American musician Lenny Kravitz.
Early life
Sy Kravitz was born as Seymour Kravitz on December 10, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrants Joseph Kravitz and Jean Kaufman Kravitz.
He had at least one brother, PFC Leonard Kravitz, who was killed in action in the Korean War while defending against a Chinese attack and saving most of his platoon and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Career
Kravitz was a Veteran of the Armed Forces serving in the Second World War and the Korean War. He was a Green Beret.
During the Vietnam war, he served as a News Reporter for NBC.
He was also the past President of the North East Chapter of the Society of Singers.
Media appearance
In 2010, Kravitz appeared in the documentary Sid Bernstein Presents...
Personal life
Kravitz was married to American actress Roxie Roker (1929–1995, The Jeffersons fame) from 1962 until the divorce in 1985. The couple had two daughters, Laurie and Tedi, and a son Lenny Kravitz (born May 26, 1964). Lenny, who was named after Sy's brother Leonard Kravitz, went on to become a singer-songwriter and actor, and his daughter Zoë Kravitz (born 1 December 1988) is a well-known American actress, singer, and model.
Kravitz then married his second wife Erika (details not known.)
Death
Kravitz died from leukemia on October 29, 2005, in New York City, New York. He was 80.
He died a day before his son Lenny was to begin his US tour. Two days after Sy's death, Lenny paid tribute to his father with the song "Let Love Rule" in front of fans at a Mohegan Sun Casino Arena show in Connecticut on October 31, 2005.