Bob Fosse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Fosse
Fosse in Pal Joey (1963)
Born	Robert Louis Fosse (1927-06-23)June 23, 1927 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	September 23, 1987(1987-09-23) (aged 60) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Ashes scattered in the Atlantic Ocean off the shores of Napeague/Amagansett, New York
Occupation	Actor choreographer dancer director
Years active	1947–1987
Spouse(s)	Mary Ann Niles ​ ​ (m. 1947; div. 1951)​ Joan McCracken ​ ​ (m. 1952; div. 1959)​ Gwen Verdon ​ (m. 1960)​
Partner(s)	Ann Reinking (1972–1978)
Children	Nicole Fosse

Robert Louis Fosse (born June 23, 1927 – died September 23, 1987) was a famous American actor, choreographer, dancer, and director for both movies and stage shows. He created and directed many popular musicals like The Pajama Game (1954), Sweet Charity (1966), Pippin (1972), and Chicago (1975). He also directed well-known films such as Cabaret (1972) and All That Jazz (1979).

Fosse had a very special dance style. It often included dancers with their knees turned in, "jazz hands" (open hands with fingers spread), and rolling their shoulders. He is the only person in history to win an Oscar (for movies), an Emmy (for TV), and a Tony (for Broadway shows) all in the same year (1973)! He won an Oscar for Best Director for Cabaret and eight Tonys for his amazing choreography.

Early Life and Dance Beginnings

Bob Fosse was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 23, 1927. He was one of six children. From a young age, he loved to dance and took many lessons.

When he was 13, Fosse started performing professionally in Chicago with a partner, Charles Grass. They called themselves "The Riff Brothers." They performed in different theaters and clubs, including places that showed vaudeville acts. In 1943, at just 15 years old, Fosse choreographed his first dance for a film called Hold Evry'thing!

After finishing high school in 1945, Fosse joined the United States Navy during World War II. He managed to get into the Special Services Entertainment Division, where he performed in a variety show called Tough Situation. This show toured military bases in the Pacific.

After leaving the Navy in 1947, Fosse moved to New York City. He wanted to become a famous dancer, like Fred Astaire. He studied acting and met his first wife and dance partner, Mary Ann Niles. They performed together on TV shows like Your Hit Parade. Famous comedians Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis saw them perform and invited them to appear on The Colgate Comedy Hour in 1951. Jerry Lewis even gave Fosse his first job as a choreographer.

In 1953, Fosse signed a contract with MGM, a big movie studio. He appeared as a dancer in films like Give a Girl a Break and Kiss Me Kate. His choreography for a short dance in Kiss Me Kate caught the attention of Broadway producers.

Career Highlights

Moving to Broadway

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Fosse started working more in Broadway. In 1954, he choreographed his first Broadway musical, The Pajama Game. This was followed by My Sister Eileen and *** Yankees in 1955.

While working on '''* Yankees, he met the talented dancer Gwen Verdon. They later got married in 1960. Gwen Verdon won her first Tony Award for her role in *** Yankees. Fosse choreographed the film version of The Pajama Game in 1957 and the film version of *''' Yankees in 1958, where he also danced with Gwen Verdon.

In 1959, Fosse directed and choreographed the musical Redhead.

Broadway Successes

Fosse won a Tony Award for Best Choreography for Redhead. In 1961, he choreographed the hit Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. This show was about a man who climbs the corporate ladder using a special book.

In 1963, Fosse won another Tony Award for Best Choreography for the musical Little Me. He then choreographed and directed Gwen Verdon in Sweet Charity in 1966.

Directing Films

Fosse directed five feature films. His first movie was Sweet Charity (1969), starring Shirley MacLaine. It was based on the Broadway musical he had directed.

In 1972, Fosse directed his second film, Cabaret, starring Liza Minnelli. This movie was set in Germany during the rise of the Nazis. It was a huge success and won eight Academy Awards, including Best Director for Fosse. Liza Minnelli also won an Oscar for her role.

In the same year, Fosse and Liza Minnelli worked together again on her TV special, Liza with a Z. This earned Fosse an Emmy Award for both directing and choreography.

In 1973, Fosse won a Tony Award for directing Pippin. He also directed and choreographed Chicago in 1975, which starred Gwen Verdon.

Fosse directed Lenny in 1974, a movie about comedian Lenny Bruce. He was nominated for another Oscar for Best Director for this film.

In 1979, Fosse co-wrote and directed All That Jazz, a movie that was partly about his own life. This film won four Academy Awards and the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival.

Fosse's last film was Star 80 (1983). In 1986, he wrote, choreographed, and directed the Broadway show Big Deal.

Fosse's Unique Style

Bob Fosse's dance style was very recognizable. He often used:

• Turned-in knees: Dancers would stand with their knees pointing inward.
• "Fosse Amoeba": A fluid, wavy movement of the body.
• Sideways shuffling: Moving across the stage with small, quick steps.
• Rolled shoulders: Shoulders moving in a circular motion.
• Jazz hands: Hands open with fingers spread wide.

Fosse also liked to use props like bowler hats, canes, and chairs in his dances. He often used hats because he was self-conscious about his baldness. He also used gloves because he didn't like his hands.

Some of his most famous dance numbers include "Steam Heat" from The Pajama Game and "Big Spender" from Sweet Charity. The "Rich Man's Frug" scene in Sweet Charity is another great example of his signature style.

Fosse was inspired by other choreographers, like Jack Cole, who is known as the "father of theatrical jazz dance." Fosse believed that people sing when their emotions are too strong to just speak, and they dance when their emotions are too strong to just sing.

For the musical Pippin, Fosse created the first-ever television commercial for a Broadway show. This helped make the show very popular.

Personal Life

Bob Fosse was married three times. His first wife was dancer Mary Ann Niles, whom he married in 1947. They divorced in 1951. In 1952, he married dancer Joan McCracken, but they divorced in 1959.

His third wife was the famous dancer and actress Gwen Verdon. They met while working on *** Yankees. In 1963, they had a daughter named Nicole Fosse, who also became a dancer. Bob and Gwen separated in 1971 but remained legally married until his death. Gwen Verdon never remarried.

Fosse also had a romantic relationship with dancer Ann Reinking in the 1970s.

Death and Legacy

Bob Fosse passed away from a heart attack on September 23, 1987, in Washington, D.C. This happened on the opening night of a new show of Sweet Charity. As he wished, his ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean.

After his death, Gwen Verdon and Ann Reinking helped keep Fosse's unique choreography alive. Ann Reinking choreographed the dances for the successful 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago in Fosse's style. In 1999, Gwen Verdon helped create a Broadway musical called Fosse, which was a show dedicated to his classic dance numbers. This show won a Tony Award for best musical.

A TV miniseries called Fosse/Verdon was released in 2019. It starred Sam Rockwell as Fosse and Michelle Williams as Verdon. The series explored their personal and professional relationship. Michelle Williams won an Emmy Award for her role as Gwen Verdon.

Bob Fosse was inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in 2007. The Los Angeles Dance Awards were even named the "Fosse Awards" for a time, showing his lasting impact on dance.

Work

Theatre

Film

Television

Awards and Recognitions

In 1973, Bob Fosse made history by winning an Academy Award for Best Director for Cabaret, two Tony Awards for directing and choreographing Pippin, and three Primetime Emmy Awards for producing, choreographing, and directing Liza Minnelli's TV special Liza with a Z. He is the only person to ever win all three major awards (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) in the same year.

Images for kids

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  Fosse in Pal Joey (1963)

See also

In Spanish: Bob Fosse para niños

• List of dancers