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Gwen Verdon

Birth Place: Culver City, CA, USA

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BIO

Gwen Verdon was an American dancer and actress of stage and screen. While she originated many roles in musicals, she is also strongly identified with her second husband, director–choreographer Bob Fosse, remembered as the muse/collaborator for whom he choreographed much of his work.


Verdon starred in the original productions of Chicago (1975), Sweet Charity (1966), Damn Yankees (1956), and Can-Can (1953). Films include Marvin's Room (1966), Cocoon (1985), and Damn Yankees (1958). Verdon won 4 Tony Awards throughout her lifetime and was nominated for 2 others.

Photos

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STAGE CREDITS

Chicago
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Roxie Hart
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
Children! Children!
[Broadway]
1972
Helen Giles
Sweet Charity
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Charity Hope Valentine
Charity
Charity Hope Valentine
Charity
Redhead
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1959
Essie Whimple
New Girl in Town
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Anna
Damn Yankees
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1955
Lola
Can-Can
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1953
Eve
Claudine
Eve
Alive and Kicking
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1950
Abou's Wife
"Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer
"Propinquity" Dancer
"One Two Three" Dancer
"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer
"I Didn't Want Him" Dancer
Abou's Wife
"Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer
"Propinquity" Dancer
"One Two Three" Dancer
"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer
"I Didn't Want Him" Dancer
Bonanza Bound
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1947
Performer
The Red Mill
[Los Angeles]
LACLO Production, 1940

Productions

Sweet Charity
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Assistant to Mr. Fosse
Magdalena
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Assistant Choreographer

Movies

The Mississippi Gambler
[ 1953 ] choreographer
Damn Yankees
[ 1958 ] Lola
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
[ 1978 ] Our Guests at Heartland
The Cotton Club
[ 1984 ] Tish Dwyer
Cocoon
[ 1985 ] Bess McCarthy
Nadine
[ 1987 ] Vera
Cocoon: The Return
[ 1988 ] Bess McCarthy
Alice
[ 1990 ] Alice's Mother
Marvin's Room
[ 1996 ] Ruth
Walking Across Egypt
[ 1999 ] Alora
Bruno
[ 2000 ] Mrs. Drago

TV Shows

Magnum, P.I.
Katherine Peterson
Walker, Texas Ranger
Maisie Whitman
Webster
Aunt Charlotte

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 1999 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

Gwen Verdon

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon , Chicago


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1966 - Best Performance

Gwen Verdon, Sweet Charity

Tony Awards - 1966 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon, Sweet Charity


winner
Tony Awards - 1959 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon, Redhead


winner
Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon, New Girl In Town

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon, New Girl In Town


winner
Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon, Damn Yankees


winner
Tony Awards - 1954 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Gwen Verdon, Can-Can


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1953 - Performance

Gwen Verdon, Can-Can

Videos

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News


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Stephanie Pope Will Return to 54 Below with LIVIN' IT UP! Directed by Ben Vereen
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Stephanie Pope brings LIVIN' IT UP! back to 54 Below for a third time, directed by Tony winner Ben Vereen, featuring songs from CHICAGO, HADESTOWN, and stories of Broadway legends.
Stephanie Pope Will Bring LIVIN' IT UP To Catalina Jazz Club, Directed By Ben Vereen Photo
Stephanie Pope Will Bring LIVIN' IT UP To Catalina Jazz Club, Directed By Ben Vereen
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026

Broadway veteran Stephanie Pope will bring her critically acclaimed show LIVIN' IT UP to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, directed by Tony winner Ben Vereen, featuring songs from CHICAGO, HADESTOWN, and more.
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Best Cabaret in April 2026: Betty Buckley, Samantha Bee, Stephen Schwartz & More Photo
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NOBA To Present Hubbard Street Dance Chicago To Close 2025–26 Season Photo
NOBA To Present Hubbard Street Dance Chicago To Close 2025–26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 17, 2026

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will perform in New Orleans as part of the New Orleans Ballet Association’s 2025–26 season. The program includes works by Bob Fosse and contemporary choreographers.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Unveils Spring Series with New Premieres Photo
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Unveils Spring Series with New Premieres
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2026

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has revealed programming for the company's Season 48 Spring Series. Spring Series opens with the iconic trio Sweet Gwen Suite by Bob Fosse & Gwen Verdon.
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Review: CHICAGO Brings Razzle Dazzle to the Rancho Mirage Amohitheater
by David Green - Mar 15, 2026

Desert Theatricals brings the legendary Broadway musical Chicago to the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater for a limited three-night run, opening March 13. Packed with murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery — all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts — the Kander and Ebb classic remains as sharp and entertaining today as when it first premiered. Under the direction of Ray Limon, this stylish production embraces the show’s signature blend of vaudeville spectacle, biting satire, and sultry jazz.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago To Return to The Joyce This Spring Photo
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago To Return to The Joyce This Spring
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2026

 The Joyce Theater Foundation will welcome the return of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Presenting two distinct programs across a two-week engagement.
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by A.A. Cristi - Feb 10, 2026

MTI Concert Dance, a division of Music Theatre International, has announced that the company has entered an agreement to exclusively license a series of works created by renowned choreographer José Limón to professional companies, the second choreographer's works to be included in the MTI catalogue.
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Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards Photo
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Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025

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by BWW Awards - Dec 15, 2025

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Gwen Verdon been in?

Gwen Verdon has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Gwen Verdon been in?

Gwen Verdon has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Gwen Verdon been nominated for?

Gwen Verdon has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. These include the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for both "Chicago" and "Sweet Charity," Best Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Sweet Charity," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Redhead," "New Girl In Town," and "Damn Yankees," Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Can-Can," and a Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for "Can-Can."

What awards has Gwen Verdon won?

Gwen Verdon has won several awards throughout her career in musical theatre. She received the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League Awards. She also won the Best Performance award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in Sweet Charity. At the Tony Awards, Verdon won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performances in Redhead, New Girl In Town, and Damn Yankees. Additionally, she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Tony Award for Can-Can. Verdon's talent was recognized with a Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for her work in Can-Can.

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