Gail Boggs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gail Boggs
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Boggs in 2014
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| Born |
Gail Charlene Boggs
August 10, 1951 Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse(s) |
Eric Larson
(m. 1987; div. 2011) |
| Children | 2, including Mattie Larson |
Gail Charlene Boggs (born August 10, 1951) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Louise Brown in the popular 1990 movie Ghost. She has also performed on Broadway and sung with famous musicians.
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Acting and Music Career
Gail Boggs grew up dreaming of becoming a star on Broadway, the famous theater district in New York City. Her father, Willie Boggs, was a tree surgeon, and her mother, Alice, was a dietitian.
Early Stage Career
Boggs got her first big acting job in 1971. She toured Australia in a modern pop-rock version of Shakespeare's play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, where she played the character Silvia.
After this success, she signed with a major talent agency and appeared in several other stage shows. These included the rock opera Mother Earth, an off-Broadway show called Jesus Christ Superstar, and the musical Candide.
Working with Famous Musicians
In the mid-1970s, Boggs also had a successful music career. She once met musician Todd Rundgren by chance in Manhattan. This meeting led to her singing backup vocals for several famous artists.
She sang on an album by Felix Cavaliere and on the album War Babies by the duo Hall & Oates. She also worked with singer-songwriter Carly Simon on two of her albums, Spy and Come Upstairs.
During this time, Boggs was a member of a band called "The Striders" and another group called "Tone" with musician David Sancious.
The Gail Boggs Show
In 1984, Boggs created her own one-woman show called The Gail Boggs Show. It was a cabaret act, which is a type of performance with music and comedy. The show was very popular and ran every week for a year and a half.
An interesting story from this time involves the famous singer Madonna. Boggs was one of the first people to hear the song "Like a Virgin". She encouraged the producer, Nile Rodgers, to release it as the first single from Madonna's new album. The song went on to become a huge hit.
Personal Life
Boggs was married to Eric Larson, who worked as a voice actor and music editor. Together, they have two daughters named Willie and Mattie. Her daughter Mattie is a former champion gymnast who competed for the U.S. national team.
Selected Roles and Appearances
Here are some of the movies, TV shows, and plays Gail Boggs has been in:
- 1971 The Two Gentlemen of Verona (as Silvia)
- 1972 Mother Earth (a Broadway play)
- 1974 Candide (in various roles)
- 1979 Ain't Misbehavin' (a musical)
- 1987 The Bronx Zoo (as Roz Hemphill)
- 1988 And God Created Woman (as Denise)
- 1990 Ghost (as Louise Brown, the sister of Whoopi Goldberg's character)
- 1991 Curly Sue (as Anise Hall)
- 1995 Get Smart (as a nurse)
- 1995 Boy Meets World (as a nurse)
- 1999 EDtv
- 2020 Better Things
