Jacqui Safra

Jacqui (Jacob) Eli Safra is a descendant of the Syrian-Swiss Jewish Safra banking family. Some of his investments include Encyclopædia Britannica, Merriam-Webster, and Spring Mountain Vineyards, a large wine-growing estate located in Saint Helena, California. He is the nephew of Edmond Safra (Brazilian) who died in a fire intentionally started by his nurse in 1999.

Under the name J.E. Beaucaire (the name of the character played by Bob Hope in the film Monsieur Beaucaire), Safra appeared in minor roles in three movies and financed eight Woody Allen films through a production company, Sweetland Films, run with girlfriend Jean Doumanian, who was a dear friend to Allen.

In May 2001, Allen filed a lawsuit against both Safra and Doumanian, alleging $12 million in earnings plus interest entitled to him was withheld and accurate financial information was not provided. The trial which took place the next year was characterized by digressive banter. Allen's testimony was sometimes cut short by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Ira Gammerman, who tired of his rambling responses. Safra appeared on the stand the next day and was no less of a frustration to the judge. With Safra meandering or reluctant to answer various questions, Gammerman was berating him at one point and said, "I didn't think there was a witness who could make Mr. Allen look responsive. This witness has." Under questioning he admitted billing unpurchased insurance and half the cost of trips Allen took on his plane back to him without Allen's knowledge. As expected, the parties reached an undisclosed settlement during the proceedings.

Filmography

Actor

• Oxen (1991) - Shop Owner
• Radio Days (1987) - Diction Student
• Stardust Memories (1980) - Sam

Executive producer

• Small Time Crooks (2000)
• Just Looking (1999)
• Women Talking Dirty (1999)
• Sweet and Lowdown (1999)
• Celebrity (1998)
• Into My Heart (1998)
• The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
• Deconstructing Harry (1997)
• Wild Man Blues (1997)
• Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
• Mighty Aphrodite (1995)
• Don't Drink the Water (1994) (TV)
• Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
• Oxen (1991)

References

• Weinraub, Bernard. (June 11, 2001). "A Friendship Founders Over Suit by Woody Allen". The New York Times, p. 1.
• Claffey, Mike & Goldiner, Dave. (June 6, 2002). "Judge Backhands Woody's Rival". Daily News (New York), p. 8.
• Claffey, Mike & Goldiner, Dave. (June 7, 2002). "Woody's Backer Admits to Some Overcharging". Daily News (New York), p. 4.
• Wapshott, Nicholas. (June 7, 2002). "To the jury, Woody Allen's former friend Jean Doumanian must appear scheming and grasping, while the diminutive comic seems a classic dupe" The Times (London).

External links

• Jacqui Safra at the Internet Movie Database
• Spring Mountain Vineyard — company websitehe:יעקב (ז'אקי) ספרא