Jerry Berns, 99; a co-owner of the famed 21 Club in New York

Jerry Berns, 99, an affable host to New York’s rich and famous during a half-century connection with the renowned 21 Club, died Thursday, the 21st day of December, restaurant officials said.

Berns -- or Mr. Jerry, as he was known -- left his job as a theater critic at the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1938 to join his older brother, Charlie Berns, and partner Jack Kriendler, who opened the club in midtown Manhattan on New Year’s Eve of 1929.

Jerry Berns and Kriendler’s cousin Pete Kriendler became co-owners of the club in 1970 after both co-founders died. Pete Kriendler died five years ago on the same date: Dec. 21.