By Ligia Fernandez
To access past Entertainers columns, click on the Entertainers archive
link to the left.
January 2007
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Photo Source: Fame46 |
Joanna Gleason
(1950 -)
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Canadian-born character actress and
musical leading lady Joanna Gleason made her Broadway musical debut in the
original company of Cy Coleman & Michael Stewart's I LOVE MY WIFE (1979),
winning a Theatre World Award for her performance. She won a Tony
Award for her next Broadway musical, playing the Baker's Wife in Sondheim's
INTO THE WOODS (1987) (she reprised the role in the 91' PBS TV version of
the musical). She went on to star in NICK & NORA (1997) and playing
Muriel Eubanks in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (2005) opposite John Lithgow and
Gregory Jbarra. An
established TV actress as well, Joanna had played recurring roles in the
series DIFF'RENT STROKES, OH BABY, THE PRACTICE, THE WEST WING and KING OF
THE HILL. Her movie credit include HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, MISTER
HOLLAND'S OPUS, BOOGIE NIGHTS and THE WEDDING PLANNER.
Daughter of "Let's Make a Deal" host
Monty Hall, Joanna is married to actor Chris Sarandon and has a son, Aaron,
from a previous marriage. |
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Photo Source:
thebestlinks.com |
Ray Bolger
(1904 - 1987) |
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Best remembered as the Scarecrow in search of a brain in
the MGM musical classic THE WIZARD OF OZ, Ray Bolger was born Raymond
Wallace Bulcao in Dorchester, MA.
His began his career in vaudeville as a dancer and made
his Broadway debut in the 1926 revue A NIGHT IN PARIS. He appeared in a
number of other revues during the 1930s including GEORGE WHITE SCANDALS OF
1931, ON YOUR TOES, LIFE BEGINS AT 8:40 and KEEP OFF THE GRASS. In his
two most well-known musical roles, he introduced the enchanting ballads
"Once In Love With Amy" in WHERE'S CHARLEY? and "Once Upon A Time" in ALL
AMERICAN. He made his final Broadway musical appearance in the 1969
short-lived, Agnes De Mille-directed, COME SUMMER.
Among his movie credits are the MGM musicals THE HARVEY GIRLS, LOOK FOR THE
SILVER LINING and the film version of WHERE'S CHARLEY?. He
guest-starred in many television series during the 1960-70s including NANNY
AND THE PROFESSOR, THE LOVE BOAT, THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, THE LOVE BOAT and
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. He also starred in his own TV series, THE
RAY BOLGER SHOW, in 1953. His great-nephew, actor
John Bolger, currently appears as Mayor Floyd in the TV daytime drama
GENERAL HOSPITAL. |
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