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Gwen Verdon Headshot

Gwen Verdon

Date of Death: October 17, 2000 (75)

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

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Roxie Hart

Roxie Hart

Roxie Hart [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1972
Helen Giles

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Charity Hope Valentine

Charity

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1959
Essie Whimple

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Anna

Anna

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1955
Lola

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1953
Claudine

Eve

[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

[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1947
Performer

[Los Angeles]
LACLO Production, 1940
Performer

Productions

 
[Broadway, 1986]
Assistant to Mr. Fosse
 
[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

News


Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff & More to Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB at Birdland

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB, a special event celebrating the work of the renowned lyricist. Performers include Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Telly Leung and more.
Pittsburgh CLO Announces Passing of Charlie Gray, Former Executive Director

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the passing of Charlie Gray, who served as Executive Director from 1982 to 1996. Mr. Gray left an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh arts community through his unwavering commitment to musical theater and arts education.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Kicks Off Season With VERDON FOSSE LEGACY

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has announced that tickets for the Season 47 Fall Series are now on sale. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!
Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret In Chicago Celebrates WOMEN IN MUSIC In August and September

Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret in Chicago celebrates WOMEN IN MUSIC in August and September with tribute shows, as well as some of the city's top female performers.
Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret to Celebrate Women in Music

Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret in Chicago will celebrate WOMEN IN MUSIC with tribute shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Interview: Nelson Aspen Pays Tribute to TONY BENNETT at The Green Room 42

Nelson Aspen and Allyson Briggs have a new tribute show to the great Tony Bennett, who passed away last July at the age of 96. You can catch Tony Bennett: A Tribute on August 7th at the Green Room 42 near Times Square. The Green Room 42 show will feature clips from his time with Bennett, reflections on his humanitarian work, career highlights, support of young musicians, and, of course, plenty of songs from the great American songbook that Bennett infused with his signature style.
Judi Mark Returns Home To Chicago With A Tribute To Gwen Verdon At Davenport's

Judi Mark returns to Chicago with her tribute show 'Merely Marvelous: The Songs of Gwen Verdon' at Davenport's on August 31, celebrating the Broadway star with performances and stories.
Review: BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS WITH GLENN ROSENBLUM Part 1 at CVRep

When you can hear a room audibly smile, then you know you are in the presence of Glenn Rosenblum. He’s charming, clever, witty, playfully spills the Tea, shows off his encyclopedic knowledge regarding all things Broadway, and displays his utmost respect for this genre of entertainment. 
Exclusive: Oh My Pod U Guys- Bette On It! with Kevin Winkler

In this video, I am joined by author, editor, librarian and former performer, Kevin Winkler, to talk all about his extensive career as an author and literary historian. He shares about his love for Bette Midler, and what led him to publish his third biographical book, 'On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide.'
Don't Tell Mama to Present Return of Judi Mark in MERELY MARVELOUS: THE SONGS OF GWEN VERDON

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Judi Mark Brings Tribute to Gwen Verdon to Don't Tell Mama

DON’T TELL MAMA will present Judi Mark with a musical celebration of four-time Tony Award winner Gwen Verdon and her hit Broadway shows including “Damn Yankees,” “Redhead,” “Sweet Charity” and “Chicago.”
Review: DAMN YANKEES at Desert Theatricals

What did our critic think of DAMN YANKEES at Desert Theatricals?
MTI Launches New Licensing Division, MTI Concert Dance

MTI Concert Dance will license choreographed works from well-known choreographers across many genres of dance. For its launch, MTI has partnered with The Robbins Rights Trust to exclusively license the entire ballet repertory of the legendary Jerome Robbins.
Liz Callaway, Billy Stritch & More Nominated for 2024 MAC Awards - See the Full List!

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets has revealed the 2024 MAC Award nominees. See who was nominated!
Closure of The Theatre Museum Marks the End of an Era

After almost 30 years of preserving, celebrating, and championing the rich history of theater, The Theatre Museum, originally established as The Broadway Theatre Institute in 1995, announces the difficult decision to cease operations in 2024.
LISTEN: Hear a Recording of Bob Fosse Directing Liza Minnelli in the Original Broadway Production of CHICAGO

Liza Minnelli took over for an ill Gwen Verdon in the original production of Chicago on Broadway, from August 8th through September 13, 1975. Now, an audio recording has been discovered of Fosse directing the stage and screen legend in the role of Roxie Hart. Listen here!
Video: Remembering the Great Chita Rivera

A theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents, Chita Rivera is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history having earned 10 nominations. Today we recap with videos of just a few of her most spectacular performances in tribute.
OUR BORN-THIS-MONTH FEATURE FOR JANUARY SALUTES... GUESS WHO!

Every month, we take a moment to honor someone among those having a birthday that month who has made a real mark in the entertainment world .  January's birthday salute goes to a sensation on the stages of theatres and cabaret. With a click, you can see who it is and then see how much you know about their by taking our multiple-choice quiz.
THE VOICE Winner Maelyn Jarmon to Star in THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group

Maelyn Jarmon (Season 16 winner of “The Voice”) and Clay Singer (National Tour of The Band’s Visit) will star in three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group.
Photos: RED BUCKET FOLLIES Raises $4,553,203 For Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

An exultant and effervescent Red Bucket Follies returned after a four-year, pandemic-induced hiatus to celebrate six weeks of enthusiastic and dedicated fundraising. The star-studded variety show, performed December 4 and 5, 2023, honored 46 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies that participated in fall fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. See photos from the show below!

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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