Tibor Rudas, who served as Resorts Casino Hotel’s first vice president of entertainment and special events when it opened in 1978, has died of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica, California. He was 94.
Rudas was known for bringing operatic superstar tenor Luciano Pavarotti to Atlantic City for seven live performances and for teaming Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras for their 10-year series of Three Tenors concerts.
Rudas was commissioned to build and run the 1,500-seat Superstar Theatre at Resorts International in 1976. Through the years he brought in talent such as Frank Sinatra, Jackie Gleason, Bill Cosby, Phyllis Diller, Shecky Greene, Natalie Cole, Steve Martin, Dolly Parton and Johnny Carson. He also brought in boxing, wrestling and other shows at the venue.
Rudas left resorts in 1980, but continued to bring shows—such as the series of Pavarotti concerts—to the resort.
Rudas is survived by his daughters Evelyn, Marilyn and Kim and son Dean as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren according to an obituary in the Press of Atlantic City.
