Nicky Arnstein was a notorious figure in the early twentieth century, known for his involvement in various scams, swindles, and crimes. He was also the second husband of the famous entertainer Fanny Brice, who immortalized him in her song “My Man”. But how did Nicky Arnstein die, and what was his legacy?
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Early Life and Career
Nicky Arnstein was born Julius Wilford Arndstein on July 1, 1879, in Berlin, Germany. His father was a German Jew who fought in the Franco-Prussian War, and his mother was a Dutch woman. The family moved to New Jersey when Nicky was a child, and later to New York City. Nicky had two siblings, Louis and Gesina.
Nicky was nicknamed “nickel plate” because he rode a shiny bicycle in the bike racing craze of the 1890s. However, he soon turned to gambling and cheating as his main sources of income. He traveled across Europe and America, playing cards, dice, and roulette. He also associated with notorious figures such as Arnold Rothstein, a loan shark, bookmaker, and racketeer who fixed the 1919 World Series.
Marriage to Fanny Brice
Nicky met Fanny Brice, a rising star of the Ziegfeld Follies, in 1912. They fell in love and began a long-term relationship. Nicky was already married to Carrie Greenthal, whom he had wed in 1906. He had two children with her, but they separated in 1916. Carrie sued Fanny for alienation of affection in 1918, but later divorced Nicky, allowing him to marry Fanny in October of that year.
Nicky and Fanny had two children of their own, Frances and William. They lived a lavish lifestyle, spending money on cars, clothes, jewelry, and parties. However, their marriage was not without problems. Nicky was often unfaithful to Fanny, and he resented her success and fame. He also continued his illegal activities, which landed him in trouble with the law.
Legal Troubles and Divorce
In 1915, Nicky was convicted of swindling a group of men out of $83,000 in a stock fraud scheme. He was sentenced to 18 months in Sing Sing prison. Fanny visited him every week while he was there, and remained loyal to him.
In 1924, Nicky was involved in another scam, this time involving stolen bonds worth $5 million. He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to transport stolen securities across state lines. He pleaded not guilty and claimed he was innocent. Fanny supported him financially and emotionally during his trial. However, he was found guilty and sentenced to three years in Leavenworth prison.
Fanny decided to divorce Nicky after he was released from prison in 1927. She realized that he would never change his ways or appreciate her love. She also wanted to protect her children from his bad influence. She filed for divorce on September 17, 1927, citing desertion as the grounds. The divorce was finalized on November 14, 1927.
Later Years and Death
After his divorce from Fanny, Nicky faded from the public eye. He remarried twice more, but both marriages ended in divorce. He had no more children. He also stayed out of trouble with the law for the rest of his life.
Nicky died on October 2, 1965, at the age of 86. He passed away at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, California. The cause of his death was not specified by his family or the media.
Nicky’s life story inspired the Broadway musical Funny Girl (1964), which starred Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice. The musical portrayed Nicky as a charming but flawed man who loved Fanny but could not handle her fame or his own failures. The musical was adapted into a film in 1968, with Omar Sharif playing Nicky Arnstein.
Nicky Arnstein remains a controversial figure in history. Some view him as a romantic rogue who lived by his own rules and defied the odds. Others see him as a selfish crook who exploited others and betrayed his wife. Either way, he left behind a legacy that is still remembered today.
