Sy Kravitz had an interesting career path, starting off as a military officer before venturing into the world of TV production. Sy Kravitz gained recognition in the media industry as a TV producer for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC).  Lenny Kravitz, the son of Sy Kravitz, rose to fame as a renowned rock musician, songwriter, record producer, instrumentalist, and actor.

He gained recognition in 1989 with the debut of his album “Let Love Rule,” which was well-received by critics. Following his debut, Lenny Kravitz continued to release more albums that resonated well with audiences. He became known for his exceptional talent and artistic vision. In this article, we will get to know about Sy Kravitz, father of Lenny Kravitz, and all the details of his life.

Early Life, Education, and Family

Sy Kravitz, born Seymour Kravitz on December 10, 1924, grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in a Ukrainian-Jewish family. Tragically, his time on this earth came to an end in 2005, at the ripe age of 80. He was born to Joseph Kravitz and Jean Kaufman, with a spirited younger brother by his side, Leonard Kravitz.  The parents of Sy Kravitz were a study in contrast – his father was tethered to a telecommunications empire while his mother devoted her days to tending to their cherished family.

They provided a nurturing environment for Sy and his brother. During his younger years, Sy discovered his love for the arts. Although we don’t know the names of the schools he attended, he enjoyed being part of the drama club, as well as playing football and soccer. After finishing high school, he went on to college and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946. Both Sy and his younger brother felt a strong connection and decided to serve in the military. Sadly, Leonard died in the Korean War, which devastated Sy.

He blamed himself for encouraging his brother to enlist. In 2014, Leonard was posthumously recognized for his courageous actions and awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross and Congressional Medal of Honor. His bravery will be forever remembered.

Sy Kravitz: From Soldier to TV Producer

Following his education, Sy made the decision to enlist in the military and serve his country. He later transitioned to become a successful television producer.  Sy fought in the Korean and Second World Wars and was a news reporter in the Vietnam War. Later, Sy discovered his passion for film and television production.

He was employed by The NBC News Channel, where he was in charge of planning and directing the visual aspects of newscasts.  Surprisingly, despite his long career in the entertainment industry, Sy only has one film credit – a documentary called “Sid Bernstein Presents,” released in 2010. Sy’s family was also involved in the entertainment world. His wife was an actress, and his son was a well-known musician. Together, they created a family legacy that made a significant impact in the entertainment industry.

Sy Kravitz: Relationships, Marriage & Divorce

Sy Kravitz got married for the first time to a woman named Erika in 1948. They had two children together named Laurie and Tedi before splitting up in 1955. Erika was given custody of the children after they separated. In 1963, Kravitz found love again and married an actress named Roxie Roker. On May 6, 1964, in Manhattan, New York, the couple gave birth to a boy they named Leonard Albert Kravitz.

The CBS comedy The Jeffersons, in which Roxie Roker starred as Helen Willis, was one of the first to regularly depict an interracial relationship in prime time. Her on-screen marriage was happy, but her real marriage was not. Lenny Kravitz’ parents had problems with cheating, and they split up after more than 20 years together. Lenny told the story of their relationship in a book that came out in October 2020. When Lenny was in his early 20s, he heard his dad talking to his girlfriend on the phone.

His mother found out and was devastated to hear the news. In addition, she disclosed that his father had been unfaithful during their marriage. The woman he cheated with worked at the bank where Lenny’s parents did their banking. Lenny’s mom hired someone to investigate and gather evidence. They got pictures and plane tickets to Paris, which showed that his dad had been cheating.

But because of how she was brought up in the Bahamas, his mom was hesitant to get a divorce because it wasn’t allowed. Eventually, though, they did get divorced in 1985. We don’t know if Lenny’s mom had another relationship after they split up. Sadly, she died in 1995 from breast cancer when she was 66.

Sy Kravitz: Children

Sy Kravitz has two kids from his second marriage, and his first son is named Lenny Kravitz. Lenny is a renowned singer, songwriter, and actor. He had a difficult relationship with his father. Lenny says his dad was strict and made him scared. He also felt like his dad was jealous of his and his mom’s success. Because of this, Lenny got closer to his mom.

Before Lenny’s parents split up, they had a talk as a family. Lenny’s mother inquired with his father about any message he had for Lenny. To everyone’s surprise, his father stated that he would make the same choices if given the chance.  Sadly, Lenny did end up getting married and then divorced later on, just like his dad.

Lenny married an actress named Lisa Bonet, but they broke up because of cheating rumors. Their daughter is the musician and actress Zoe Kravitz.  There is no information about Sy Kravitz daughters, Laurie and Tedi, and what they are up to, available which were borne out of his first marriage.

Sy Kravitz Cause of Death

Sy Kravitz, the father of Lenny Kravitz, sadly passed away at the age of 80 due to leukemia. His cause of death will always be remembered as Sy Kravitz ’cause of death. Before his passing, something extraordinary happened – Sy had a spiritual change. This brought him and his son closer together, and they were able to let go of their differences.

Lenny even said that the last month they spent together was the happiest time they ever had. Just two days after his father’s death, Lenny paid tribute to him by performing the song “Let Love Rule” at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena in Connecticut. It was a special way for Lenny to honor his father’s memory.

Bottom Line

Sy Kravitz had a remarkable career in television production and left a significant impact on the entertainment industry. Despite the challenges in his personal life, his relationship with his son Lenny Kravitz improved before his passing, and Lenny paid tribute to his father through a heartfelt performance.

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