Marcus Theatres’ Post

Congratulations to Stephen H. Marcus, from The Marcus Corporation, who will be inducted into the 2024 Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame, benefitting Junior Achievement of Wisconsin on May 30. Steve Marcus was born the same year as The Marcus Corp., so his family likes to joke that he came to the attention of top management at a very early age. His childhood was all about the movies. From threading film through the family’s home projector to selling popcorn and soda to his parents’ friends and donating the profits to local charities – Steve was nurturing a deep love for cinema and the intricacies of the industry. But no one could have imagined how far this love would take him. Steve has even served as the chairman of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO).   Throughout his academic pursuits at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan Law School, Steve’s connection to the family business remained steadfast. However, in 1962, the trajectory of The Marcus Corp. was forever altered. Using his law degree, Steve helped his father, Ben Marcus, acquire The Pfister Hotel when it was at the brink of bankruptcy. Steve then stepped into the role of the hotel’s general manager, marking the beginning of his impactful Marcus Corp. career.   His leadership proved instrumental in shaping the company’s expansion beyond Wisconsin, its embrace of new technologies and its transition to a publicly traded entity (listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1993). His strategic vision laid the foundation for the corporation’s enduring success. Beyond his corporate impact, Steve’s legacy extends throughout the Milwaukee area. From his support of the Marcus Performing Arts Center, Summerfest and the Bradley Symphony Center to his service as chair of both the United Way and United Performing Arts Fund, Steve Marcus has made an indelible imprint on the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin.