Washington, D.C. Park presentation site. This Washington D.C. Fourth of July celebration has become an annual city, national and televised event. In 1978, he formed Robert F. Jani Productions, Inc. and left Disney. Through his own production company, he revitalized Radio City Music Hall's "Magnificent Christmas Spectacular." From 1979 to 1982, he was in charge of all live stage productions and reestablished this New York City landmark from its decade of decline as "The Showplace of the Nation." Among the other spectacular undertakings he produced in the 5,882-seat theater were America, which had a 27-week record run, and Encore and Manhattan Showboat, which received critical and public acclaim. Jani created the master plan for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, but he did not provide the staging which eventually was awarded to David L. Wolper. Jani was also artistic director for the Hollywood Bowl, producer of several television specials, and master plan consultant for Disneyland Paris and Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. He worked worldwide as producer and production consultant during his last years. Along with Tommy Walker and Andrea Elizabeth Michaels, he is noted as an event industry pioneer. Death Robert Jani died in August 1989 at his Palos Verdes Estates home after a three-year struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known commonly as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 54. References 1934 births 1989 deaths Walt Disney Parks and Resorts people American entertainment industry businesspeople University of Southern California alumni People from Los Angeles Neurological disease deaths in California Deaths from motor neuron disease