Vera-Ellen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vera-Ellen
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Vera-Ellen in 1941
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| Born |
Vera-Ellen Westmeier Rohe
February 16, 1921 Norwood, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | August 30, 1981 (aged 60) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Glen Haven Memorial Park, Sylmar, California |
| Occupation | Dancer, actress |
| Years active | 1937–1959 |
| Spouse(s) |
Robert Hightower
(m. 1941; div. 1946)Victor Rothschild
(m. 1954; div. 1966) |
| Children | 1 |
Vera-Ellen (born Vera-Ellen Rohe; February 16, 1921 – August 30, 1981) was a famous American dancer and actress. She was known for her amazing solo dance routines. She also danced with other big stars like Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, and Donald O'Connor. Many people remember her best for her main roles in the movies On the Town (1949) with Gene Kelly and White Christmas (1954) with Danny Kaye.
Contents
Early Life and Dance Beginnings
Vera-Ellen Rohe was born in Norwood, Ohio. Her parents were Martin F. Rohe, who sold pianos, and Alma C. Westmeier. Both of her parents came from German families. Her unique first name, Vera-Ellen, came from a dream her mother had.
She started dancing when she was 10 years old and quickly became very good at it. Another famous dancer, Doris Day, was one of her classmates at the Hessler Studio of Dancing. When Vera-Ellen was 13, she won a competition on a show called Major Bowes Amateur Hour. This win helped her start her professional career.
Vera-Ellen's Amazing Career
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Vera-Ellen had a busy career on stage and in movies. She was known for her graceful dancing and charming personality.
Dancing on Broadway Stages
In 1939, Vera-Ellen made her first appearance on Broadway in a musical called Very Warm for May. She also became one of the youngest members of The Rockettes, a famous dance group at Radio City Music Hall. After this, she got more roles in Broadway shows like Panama Hattie, By Jupiter, and A Connecticut Yankee. It was during A Connecticut Yankee that a movie producer named Samuel Goldwyn noticed her. He then cast her in her first movie.
Her Voice in Movies
Starting with her first movie, Wonder Man in 1945, other singers often sang for Vera-Ellen in her films. This is called "dubbing." However, she did sing two songs herself on a cast album for the 1943 Broadway show A Connecticut Yankee. These songs were "I Feel at Home with You" and "You Always Love the Same Girl."
Starring in Hollywood Films
Vera-Ellen danced with the legendary Gene Kelly in Hollywood musicals such as Words and Music and On the Town. She also appeared in the last movie made by the Marx Brothers, called Love Happy. She was the main star alongside Fred Astaire in the musicals Three Little Words and The Belle of New York.
She also had a big role with Donald O'Connor in the movie Call Me Madam. In 1951, she starred in the musical comedy Happy Go Lovely. Vera-Ellen's second-to-last movie was the very popular 1954 film White Christmas. In this movie, she starred with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. Her very last movie was a British film from 1957 called Let's Be Happy.
Appearing on Television Shows
In the mid-to-late 1950s, Vera-Ellen was a frequent guest on different TV variety shows in the United States. Her last performances were on a TV episode of The Perry Como Show in November 1958 and on The Dinah Shore Show in February 1959. After these appearances, Vera-Ellen decided to stop performing.
Vera-Ellen's Personal Life
Vera-Ellen was a very private person. She continued to take dance classes and stayed active throughout her life. She was also a strong swimmer. A friend who knew her for many years said that Vera-Ellen was a "fabulous dancer." Her niece also remembered that Vera-Ellen "never stopped taking dance classes and maintained her slim figure always."
Vera-Ellen was married two times. Her first husband was a dancer named Robert Hightower. They were married from 1941 to 1946. Her second husband was an oilman named Victor Rothschild. They were married from 1954 to 1966. While married to Victor, she had a daughter named Victoria Ellen. Sadly, her daughter passed away in 1963 when she was only three months old. After losing her only child, Vera-Ellen chose to live a more private life away from the public eye.
Later Years and Passing
Vera-Ellen passed away on August 30, 1981, at the Los Angeles County General Hospital. She was 60 years old. She is buried at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, Los Angeles.
Images for kids
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Left to right: June Haver, Vera-Ellen, and Vivian Blaine in Three Little Girls in Blue (1946)
See also
In Spanish: Vera-Ellen para niños
