Somen “Steve” Banerjee is an Indian-American businessman and convicted felon, best known as the founder of Chippendales, the iconic male striptease troupe and nightclub. Before venturing into the entertainment industry, Banerjee worked at Mattel and later ran a gas station.
In 1979, he bought a struggling Los Angeles club called Destiny II and changed its name to Chippendales, a nightclub that originally featured attractions such as women’s mud wrestling and “Women’s Exotic Dance Nights.”
Over time, he shifted his focus to male striptease performances aimed at female audiences, turning Chippendales into a cultural phenomenon.
File
- Full name: Somen “Steve” Banerjee
- Stage name: Steve Banerjee
- Date of birth: October 8, 1946
- Date of death: October 23, 1994
- Age: 48 years old
- Place of birth: Bombay, Bombay province, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Indian-American businessman and convicted criminal
- Height: Unknown
- Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Banerjee
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Irene Banerjee (Deceased)
- Children: Lindsay Banerjee and Christian Banerjee
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $4 million to $5 million
Early life and education
Somen “Steve” Banerjee was born on October 8, 1946 in Bombay, Bombay province, India. His parents’ names are not made public and are commonly referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Banerjee.
It is unclear whether he has any siblings or not as their identities are still unknown to the media. Although there are no details about his educational background, he is of Indian ethnicity and follows the Hindu religion.
Career
Steve Banerjee became famous after emigrating to the United States, where he first ran a Mobil gas station and then tried to run a backgammon club, which ultimately failed.
In the late 1970s, Banerjee purchased a struggling Los Angeles nightclub called the “Destiny II” and turned it into a vibrant venue with unique attractions like women’s mud wrestling and “Women’s Exotic Dance Night.” In 1979, he revolutionized the entertainment industry by introducing a male striptease troupe aimed at female audiences, the first of its kind in America.
In the 1980s, Banerjee married Irene, an accountant. However, his career took a dark turn when he became embroiled in a series of criminal activities. In 1987, he asked Ray Colon, a former Palm Springs police officer and lounge entertainer, to stage the murder of Nick De Noia, a show producer.
Then, in 1990 and 1991, Banerjee plotted to kill Michael Fullington, a former Chippendales dancer and choreographer, along with two other former Chippendales performers, whom he considered a threat to the franchise. its commercial rights.
Banerjee eventually pleaded guilty to arson, fraud and murder-for-hire. As part of the plea agreement, he faces up to 26 years in prison and forfeiture of his shares in Chippendales.
Despite Irene’s desperate efforts to gather witnesses to reduce his sentence, Banerjee’s fate was sealed, marking the tragic demise of his once groundbreaking career. In 1994, while awaiting sentencing for her crime, Banerjee committed suicide in her prison cell.
Social Media
Steve Banerjee does not have any active social media accounts.
Personal life
Steve Banerjee was married to Irene Banerjee in the 1980s. She is said to have supported her husband despite his legal troubles. After his death, Irene inherited the Chippendales brand and reportedly sold it for $2.5 million. The couple has two children, Lindsay Banerjee and Christian Banerjee.
Tragically, in 1994, while awaiting sentencing for her crimes, Banerjee committed suicide in her prison cell.
Net worth
Steve Banerjee had an estimated net worth of $4 to $5 million at the time of his death in 1994.
His net worth comes mainly from the success of his Chippendales clubs, merchandise, and television products related to the brand. After he committed suicide in prison, his wife, Irene Banerjee, inherited his property and later sold it for $2.5 million.
