1. Overview
Gwenyth Evelyn "Gwen" Verdon (1925-2000) was a highly acclaimed American actress, singer, and dancer who left an indelible mark on Broadway, film, and television. Renowned for her dynamic performances and distinctive dance style, Verdon won four Tony Awards for her work in musical comedy, solidifying her status as a leading lady in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. She originated iconic roles such as Lola in Damn Yankees, the title character in Sweet Charity, and Roxie Hart in Chicago. Beyond her celebrated stage career, Verdon also made significant contributions as an uncredited choreographer's assistant and specialty dance coach in Hollywood, influencing numerous stars. Her professional and personal life was deeply intertwined with that of director-choreographer Bob Fosse, her second husband, with whom she collaborated on several groundbreaking projects. After Fosse's death, Verdon dedicated herself to preserving his artistic legacy. This article explores her early life, extensive career, significant relationships, and lasting impact on the performing arts.
2. Early life
Gwen Verdon's early life was marked by challenges and a profound immersion in dance, which ultimately set the stage for her illustrious career.
2.1. Childhood and education
Gwen Verdon was born on January 13, 1925, in Culver City, California. She was the second child of Joseph William Verdon, an electrician at MGM Studios, and Gertrude Lilian (née Standring), a former vaudevillian and dance teacher with the Denishawn dance troupe. Both of her parents were British immigrants who had moved to the United States via Canada. Verdon's brother was William Farrell Verdon.
As a toddler, Verdon suffered from rickets, a condition that caused her to be called "Gimpy" by other children and required her to wear orthopedic boots and rigid leg braces during her early years. At the age of three, her mother enrolled her in dance classes as a form of therapy. This early introduction to ballet significantly strengthened her legs and improved her posture and carriage. By the age of six, she was already performing on stage. Her dance training became extensive, encompassing a wide array of forms including tap, jazz, ballroom, flamenco, and Balinese dance. She also developed skills in juggling. At age 11, Verdon appeared as a solo ballerina in the 1936 musical romance film The King Steps Out, directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Grace Moore and Franchot Tone. She attended Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, where she continued her ballet studies under the guidance of Ernest Belcher. During her high school years, she was also cast in a revival production of Show Boat.
2.2. Early career development
In 1942, at the age of 17, Gwen Verdon became pregnant. Her parents encouraged her to marry James Henaghan, a family friend and tabloid reporter. Following her marriage, she temporarily stepped away from her burgeoning dance career to focus on raising their son, Jim. In 1945, she made an uncredited appearance as a dancer in the movie musical Blonde From Brooklyn. After her divorce from Henaghan in 1947, Verdon entrusted the care of her son to her parents, allowing her to fully re-engage with her professional aspirations.
3. Career
Gwen Verdon's career spanned decades, evolving from a skilled dance assistant and coach to a celebrated Broadway star and versatile film and television actress.
3.1. Choreographer's assistant and dance coach
Early in her career, Gwen Verdon secured a pivotal role as an assistant to Jack Cole, a highly respected choreographer whose work was influential in both Broadway and Hollywood movie studios. During her five-year tenure with Cole, Verdon gained invaluable experience, often taking on small, uncredited roles as a "specialty dancer" in movie musicals. Her expertise was also sought after for coaching prominent Hollywood stars in dance. She notably taught dance to a roster of leading actresses, including Jane Russell, Fernando Lamas, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, and Marilyn Monroe, laying a strong foundation for her own performance career.
3.2. Broadway career
Gwen Verdon's Broadway career was marked by a series of breakthrough performances and major successes that earned her widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards.
3.2.1. Early Broadway success
Verdon began her Broadway journey performing in various chorus lines. Her breakthrough arrived in 1953 when choreographer Michael Kidd cast her as the second female lead in Cole Porter's musical Can-Can, which starred French prima donna Lilo. During its out-of-town tryouts, reviewers lauded Verdon's portrayal of Eve in the "Garden of Eden" ballet, noting that her performance overshadowed the show's star. This led to Lilo reportedly demanding that Verdon's role be reduced to only two featured dance numbers. With her part significantly cut, Verdon intended to quit before the show's Broadway premiere. However, her opening-night performance of the "Garden of Eden" ballet was so electrifying that the audience erupted in cheers, chanting her name until she was brought back from her dressing room, still in a towel, to take a curtain call. This overwhelming reception secured her a pay increase and her first Tony Award for Distinguished Supporting or Featured Musical Actress.
Her subsequent show, George Abbott's Damn Yankees (1955), proved to be her biggest critical and commercial triumph. Based on the novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, the musical enjoyed an impressive run of 1,019 performances. Verdon won her second Tony Award for her role as Lola. She later reprised this iconic character in the 1958 film adaptation of Damn Yankees, famously performing "Whatever Lola Wants". In the original stage production, Bob Fosse can be seen partnered with her in the "Who's Got the Pain" mambo duet.
Verdon continued her string of successes, earning her third Tony Award for her performance in New Girl in Town, where she played a troubled character fleeing a past as a prostitute. Her fourth Tony Award came for the murder-mystery musical Redhead (1959), which also marked Bob Fosse's Broadway debut as a director and choreographer.
3.2.2. Signature roles
Gwen Verdon became synonymous with several iconic characters she originated on Broadway, solidifying her legendary status in musical theater. Her portrayal of Lola in Damn Yankees (1955) captivated audiences with its seductive charm and athletic dance. In 1966, she returned to the stage as Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity, a role that showcased her vulnerability and comedic timing. This musical, like many of her earlier triumphs, was choreographed and directed by her husband, Bob Fosse, and was loosely based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for Nights of Cabiria. The show featured memorable numbers such as "Big Spender", "Rhythm of Life", "If My Friends Could See Me Now", and "I'm a Brass Band".
In 1975, Verdon originated another signature role, the murderess Roxie Hart in the Bob Fosse-directed musical Chicago, starring opposite Chita Rivera's Velma Kelly. Although the musical initially received mixed critical reviews compared to Cabaret, Verdon's performance was widely praised, with a The New York Times critic describing it as "delectable". These roles cemented her legacy as a transformative performer who brought depth and distinctiveness to her characters.
3.2.3. Stage appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Alive and Kicking | Herself | Musical revue |
| 1953 | Can-Can | Claudine/Eve | Grammy Award for Best Broadway Show Album |
| 1955 | Damn Yankees | Lola | Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical |
| 1957 | New Girl in Town | Anna | Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical |
| 1959 | Redhead | Essie Whimple | Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical |
| 1966 | Sweet Charity | Charity Hope Valentine | Nominated-Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical |
| 1972 | Children! Children! | Helen Giles | Only played one performance (13 previews) |
| 1975 | Chicago | Roxie Hart | Nominated-Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical |
3.3. Film career
Gwen Verdon's film career spanned from early uncredited specialty dancer roles to significant character portrayals in acclaimed movies, showcasing her versatility across different genres. After her stage success in Chicago in 1975, Verdon increasingly focused on film acting.
3.3.1. Film appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | The King Steps Out | Specialty Ballerina | Uncredited |
| 1941 | The Girl After My Heart | Specialty Ballerina | Credited as "Gwen Verdun"; a Soundie by Roy Mack |
| 1943 | Hoosier Holiday | Cheerleader | Uncredited |
| 1945 | Blonde from Brooklyn | Girl in Nightclub | Uncredited |
| 1951 | On the Riviera | Specialty Dancer | Uncredited |
| David and Bathsheba | Specialty Dancer | Uncredited | |
| Meet Me After the Show | Sappho | Uncredited; prominent dancer in "No Talent Joe" | |
| 1952 | Dreamboat | Girl | Uncredited |
| The Merry Widow | Specialty Can-Can Dancer | Uncredited | |
| 1953 | The I Don't Care Girl | Specialty Dancer | Uncredited |
| The Mississippi Gambler | Voodoo Dancer | Uncredited | |
| The Farmer Takes a Wife | Abigail | Uncredited | |
| 1955 | Gentlemen Marry Brunettes | Specialty Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Damn Yankees | Lola | Nominated-BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film |
| 1978 | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | Our Guests at Heartland | |
| 1982 | Creepshow | Voice of Lenora Castonmeyer | Uncredited |
| 1984 | The Cotton Club | Tish Dwyer | |
| 1985 | Cocoon | Bess McCarthy | Nominated-Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1987 | Nadine | Vera | |
| 1988 | Cocoon: The Return | Bess McCarthy Selwyn | |
| 1990 | Alice | Alice's mother | |
| 1994 | Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All | Etta Pell, Nursing Home Resident | |
| 1996 | Marvin's Room | Ruth Wakefield | Nominated-Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role |
| 1999 | Walking Across Egypt | Alora | |
| 2000 | Bruno | Mrs. Drago |
3.4. Television career
Gwen Verdon's television career included numerous guest appearances on popular series and notable roles in TV movies, demonstrating her continued presence and versatility across various media platforms throughout her life. She earned several Emmy nominations for her television work.
3.4.1. Television appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Goodyear Playhouse | Shirley Kochendorfer | Episode: "Native Dancer" |
| 1972 | Love, American Style | Estelle Mayberry | Segment: "Love and the New Act" |
| 1973 | The $10,000 Pyramid | Celebrity Guest | Week of October 22-26, playing against Godfrey Cambridge |
| 1981 | M*A*S*H | Brandy Doyle (USO performer) | Episodes: "That's Show Biz" (two episodes, Parts 1 and 2) |
| 1982 | Fame | Melinda MacNeil | Episode: "Come One, Come All" |
| All My Children | Judith Kingsley Sawyer | Unknown episodes | |
| 1983 | Legs | Maureen Comly | Television movie |
| 1984 | The Jerk, Too | Bag Lady | Television movie; uncredited |
| Gimme a Break! | Lily | Episode: "The Center" | |
| 1985 | Trapper John, M.D. | Ms. Taylor | Episode: "All the King's Horses" |
| Kids Incorporated | Ruth | Episode: "Grandma, Won't You Dance with Me" | |
| 1985-1988 | Magnum, P.I. | Katherine Peterson | 5 episodes |
| 1986 | The Equalizer | Kelly Sterling | Episode: "Unnatural Causes" |
| All Is Forgiven | Bonita Harrell | Episode: "I Can't Say No" | |
| 1986-1988 | Webster | Aunt Charlotte | 3 episodes |
| 1987 | Hotel | Iris Lloyd | Episode: "Second Thoughts" |
| 1989 | Dear John | Yvonne | Episode: "The Second Time Around" |
| 1990 | Paris is Burning | Herself | Uncredited |
| 1992 | Dream On | Kitty Brewer | Episode: "For Peter's Sake" |
| 1993 | Homicide: Life on the Street | Jessie Doohen | Episode: "Ghost of a Chance" |
| Key West | Sister Grace | Episode: "Gimme Shelter" | |
| 1994 | The Cosby Mysteries | Yolanda | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | In Cold Blood | Sadie Truitt | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel | Lorraine McCully | Episode: "Missing in Action" |
| 1997-1999 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Maisie Whitman | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Promised Land | Karen Hatcher | Episode: "Undercover Granny" |
3.5. Later activities and artistic contributions
Beyond her direct performance roles, Gwen Verdon continued to contribute significantly to the arts, particularly in preserving the legacy of her long-time collaborator and husband, Bob Fosse. She traveled to Berlin to assist Fosse with Cabaret (1972), the musical film for which he won an Oscar for Best Director. Although estranged as a couple, Verdon continued to collaborate with Fosse as a performer and choreographer. She also helped with Fosse's tribute to Broadway dancing in the musical Dancin' (1978) and his autobiographical film All That Jazz (1979). The character of the helpmate/peer played by Leland Palmer in All That Jazz is based on the role Verdon played in Fosse's real life. She also developed a close working relationship with Ann Reinking, Fosse's romantic partner for six years, serving as an instructor for Reinking's musical theatre classes.
In 1999, Verdon served as an artistic consultant for the Broadway musical Fosse, a revue that reprised classic Fosse choreography without a formal narrative. Conceived and co-directed by Richard Maltby Jr. and Ann Reinking, the show received glowing reviews and ran for 1,000 performances on Broadway, earning four Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical. Verdon's daughter with Fosse, performer Nicole Fosse, received a "special thanks" credit for her involvement. In 1956, Verdon also released a music album titled The Girl I Left Home For, which featured her covers of popular jazz standards of the time.
4. Relationship with Bob Fosse
Gwen Verdon's relationship with director and choreographer Bob Fosse was a central aspect of both her personal and professional life. They married in 1960 and had a daughter, Nicole, in 1963. Their artistic partnership was prolific, with Fosse directing and choreographing many of Verdon's most successful Broadway shows, including Redhead, Sweet Charity, and Chicago. Verdon often contributed to the choreography of their collaborations, even when uncredited.
However, their marriage was strained by Fosse's extramarital affairs, leading to their separation in 1971, though they never formally divorced. Despite their estrangement, their professional collaboration continued. Verdon remained a vital artistic consultant and confidante for Fosse, assisting him on projects such as the film Cabaret, the musical Dancin', and his autobiographical film All That Jazz. She was with Fosse when he suffered a fatal heart attack in September 1987 at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Following his death, Verdon dedicated herself to preserving his extensive artistic legacy, ensuring his groundbreaking work would continue to be recognized and performed.
5. Personal life
Outside of her demanding professional career, Gwen Verdon maintained various personal interests and was a devoted advocate for important causes.
6. Assessment and legacy
Gwen Verdon's lasting impact on the performing arts is profound, characterized by her innovative dance, captivating stage presence, and significant contributions to musical theater. She is remembered as one of Broadway's most dynamic and influential performers, whose work with Bob Fosse reshaped the landscape of American dance and theater.
6.1. Re-examination in popular culture
Verdon's life and contributions have seen a significant re-examination in contemporary media, bringing her story to a new generation of audiences. The 2019 American miniseries Fosse/Verdon, an eight-part production by FX, prominently featured her life. The series starred Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse and Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon, portraying their complex personal and professional relationship. Based on Sam Wasson's biography Fosse, the miniseries premiered on April 9, 2019. It garnered widespread critical acclaim and received seventeen nominations at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series and acting nominations for Rockwell, Williams, and Margaret Qualley (as Ann Reinking). Michelle Williams ultimately won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her portrayal of Verdon.
7. Awards and honors
Gwen Verdon received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, recognizing her outstanding achievements in theater, film, and television.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | American Theater Hall of Fame | - | - | Inducted |
| 1958 | British Academy Film Awards | Most Promising Newcomer to Film | Damn Yankees | Nominated |
| 1959 | Grammy Awards | Best Broadway Show Album | Redhead | Nominated (Tied with Ethel Merman for Gypsy) |
| 1958 | Laurel Awards | Top Female Musical Performance | Damn Yankees | Nominated |
| Top Female New Personality | - | 4th Place | ||
| 1979 | Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards | Choreography | Dancin' | Nominated |
| 1998 | National Medal of Arts | - | Actress & Dancer | Honored |
| 1966 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Best Performance | Sweet Charity | Nominated |
| 1988 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series | Magnum, P.I. (Episode: "Infinity and Jelly Doughnuts") | Nominated |
| 1993 | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | Dream On (Episode: "For Peter's Sake") | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Homicide: Life on the Street (Episode: "Ghost of a Chance") | Nominated | ||
| 1985 | Saturn Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Cocoon | Nominated |
| 1996 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Marvin's Room | Nominated |
| Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | |||
| 1953 | Theatre World Awards | - | Can-Can | Honored |
| 1954 | Tony Awards | Distinguished Supporting or Featured Musical Actress | Can-Can | Won |
| 1956 | Best Leading Actress in a Musical | Damn Yankees | Won | |
| 1958 | New Girl in Town | Won (Tied with Thelma Ritter for New Girl in Town) | ||
| 1959 | Redhead | Won | ||
| 1966 | Sweet Charity | Nominated | ||
| 1976 | Chicago | Nominated |
8. Death
Gwen Verdon died from a heart attack on October 18, 2000, at the age of 75. She passed away at her daughter Nicole Fosse's home in Woodstock, Vermont. In a tribute to her significant contributions to the performing arts, all marquee lights on Broadway were dimmed at 8:00 PM on the night of her passing.
9. External links
- [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0893862/ Gwen Verdon at IMDb]
- [https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/gwen-verdon-68959 Gwen Verdon at the Internet Broadway Database]
- [https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/196659%7C0/Gwen-Verdon/ Gwen Verdon at the TCM Movie Database]