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"I don't know which I like best. I love
the applause on the stage. But pictures are so fascinating - you reach many
millions through them. And you make more money too."
-- Ginger Rogers
Movie musical icon Ginger Rogers was
born Virginia Katherine McMath in Independence, MO. She began her
career in vaudeville and performed on Broadway in the musicals TOP SPEED
(1930) and GIRL CRAZY (1930) before heading out to try her luck in
Hollywood, eventually landing a contract with RKO Studios and a supporting
role in FLYING DOWN TO RIO opposite Fred Astaire. The rest, as they
say, is history.
Astaire and Rogers became one of
Hollywood's best-loved dance duos appearing in eight more RKO musicals -
The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet, Swing
Time, Shall We Dance, Carefree
and The
Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
as well as THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY for MGM.
Throughout the 40s and 50s, she also
appeared in a series of comedies and dramas including
Vivacious Lady, The Major and the Minor, Lady in the Dark, Weekend at the
Waldorf, Storm Warning
and
Monkey Business.
In 1940, she won the Best Actress Oscar for
Kitty Foyle.
She returned to Broadway in 1966 to
replace Carol Channing in HELLO DOLLY!, playing to packed houses and
critical acclaim for 18 months. She later starred in a London
production of MAME that included a Royal Command Performance for Queen
Elizabeth II.
Among her other accomplishments are
designing a line of lingerie for JC Penney, an autobiography (GINGER, MY
STORY) and receiving the Kennedy Center Honors in 1992.
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Best known for his Tony and Oscar-winning role of the Emcee
in the original Broadway production of CABARET, Joel Grey began life in
Cleveland, OH as Joel Katz, son of Catskills nightclub entertainer Mickey
Katz. Two of his early Broadway musical credits were
replacement roles: Littlechap in STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF (1964)
(originated by Anthony Newley) and Arthur Kipps in HALF A SIXPENCE (1966)
(originated by Tommy Steele).
Then came CABARET (1966) and the Tony Award as well as the
opportunity to reprise his role opposite Liza Minnelli in the film version
of the musical. CABARET (1972) went on to win eight Academy Awards
including awards to Grey, Minnelli and the film's director, Bob Fosse.
Other notable Broadway musical roles: George M. Cohan in
GEORGE M! (1968), Charley in GOODTIME CHARLEY (1975), S.L. Jacobowsky in THE
GRAND TOUR (1979), Amos Hart in CHICAGO (1996) and the Wizard in WICKED
(2003).
Joel is the father of actress Jennifer Grey, star of the
film DIRTY DANCING. Son James is the Executive Chef at Lincoln
Steakhouse in Santa Monica, CA. |
