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Gwen Verdon Headshot

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

STAGE CREDITS

Chicago
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Roxie Hart
[Replacement]
Children! Children!
[Broadway]
1972
Helen Giles
Sweet Charity
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
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
Claudine
Eve
Alive and Kicking
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1950
"I Didn't Want Him" Dancer
"Love It Hurts So Good" Dancer
"One Two Three" Dancer
"Propinquity" Dancer
"Cole Scuttle Blues" Dancer
Abou's Wife
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


Beechman Theatre to Present Andrea McArdle, Lillias White and More in Residency Photo
Beechman Theatre to Present Andrea McArdle, Lillias White and More in Residency
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 22, 2025

As 2026 approaches, the Laurie Beechma Theare is launching the “Legends In Residency,” featuring monthly performances in the first half of the year from Broadway’s original Annie Andrea McArdle, Tony winner Lillias White and more.
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards Photo
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025

We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Review: CHICAGO at Casino De Paris Photo
Review: CHICAGO at Casino De Paris
by Patrick Honoré - Dec 16, 2025

The Paris revival remains polished and efficient, but once again raises a familiar question: has Chicago become more concert than theatre?
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 15, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 8, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Stephanie Pope And Mark Nadler to Perform at Broadway Cabaret At Rittenhouse Grill Photo
Stephanie Pope And Mark Nadler to Perform at Broadway Cabaret At Rittenhouse Grill
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 13, 2025

Broadway Cabaret at Rittenhouse Grill, Philadelphia's only Broadway cabaret venue, will present the final performance of its fall 2025 season: It's Christmastime in the City starring Mark Nadler and Stephanie Pope.
Interview: Gregory Butler of CHICAGO at Broadway In Thousand Oaks Photo
Interview: Gregory Butler of CHICAGO at Broadway In Thousand Oaks
by Jonas Schwartz-Owen - Nov 4, 2025

When Gregory Butler walked into 8th Avenue Studios on February 10, 1997 for rehearsal, he had no idea that the next three decades of his life would be defined by the sharp jazz lines and sly sensuality of the long running revival of Chicago the Musical.
Interview: Jeff Harnar Celebrates THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK Album at Birdland Photo
Interview: Jeff Harnar Celebrates THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK Album at Birdland
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 3, 2025

The remastered and revised album celebrating the Golden Age of Broadway comes out on 10/3, with a 10/6 album release concert at Birdland Jazz Club. We spoke to Harnar about the new album and show.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to Return to Steppenwolf Theatre Photo
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to Return to Steppenwolf Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2025

Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell has revealed programming for the company's Season 48 Fall Series, marking Hubbard Street's return to Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
The Verdon Fosse Legacy and RWS Global Announce Partnership To Bring Iconic Work To G Photo
The Verdon Fosse Legacy and RWS Global Announce Partnership To Bring Iconic Work To Global Audiences
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2025

The Verdon Fosse Legacy, dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistry of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, has announced a new partnership with RWS Global, a leader in live entertainment worldwide.
Photos: STROKE OF GENIUS: HIRSCHFELD AT THE ALGONQUIN Opens in the Oak Room Photo
Photos: STROKE OF GENIUS: HIRSCHFELD AT THE ALGONQUIN Opens in the Oak Room
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 9, 2025

“Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin” will be on exhibition in the hotel’s legendary Oak Room, September 9 – 20, daily from noon – 7PM. BroadwayWorld got a preview of the exhibit and you can check out photos here!
Boston Conservatory Reveals Dance Partnership With The Verdon Fosse Legacy Photo
Boston Conservatory Reveals Dance Partnership With The Verdon Fosse Legacy
by Stephi Wild - Sep 5, 2025

Boston Conservatory at Berklee has announced a five-year partnership with The Verdon Fosse Legacy, founded by Nicole Fosse to preserve the work of her parents, dance icons Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse.
Interview: Theatre Life with Ana Villafañe Photo
Interview: Theatre Life with Ana Villafañe
by Elliot Lanes - Aug 29, 2025

Today’s subject Ana Villafañe is currently living her theatre life at Arena Stage preparing to begin performances of the newly revised version of Damn Yankees. She will be playing the iconic role of Lola made famous by Gwen Verdon. The show will run from September 9th to November 9th in Arena Stage’s Fichandler Stage space.
STROKES OF GENIUS: HIRSCHFELD AT THE ALGONQUIN Set for September Photo
STROKES OF GENIUS: HIRSCHFELD AT THE ALGONQUIN Set for September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2025

The Al Hirschfeld Foundation will join forces with Helicline Fine Art and The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection for a new exhibition of artwork by the legendary artist Al Hirschfeld. Learn more!
More News

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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