Biography
Gwen Verdon was an American actress and dancer. She was born Gwyneth Evelyn Verdon on 13 January 1925 in Culver City, California, and died on 18 October 2000 in Woodstock, Vermont. She began performing as a child and worked as an assistant to choreographer Jack Cole before appearing on Broadway.
Verdon originated leading roles in several musicals and won four Tony Awards for performances in Can-Can (1953), Damn Yankees (1955), New Girl in Town (1957) and Redhead (1959). She was married to director-choreographer Bob Fosse from 1960 until his death in 1987 and collaborated with him on stage and screen projects, including originating the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago (1975).
Her film roles include Tish Dwyer in The Cotton Club (1984), Bess McCarthy in Cocoon (1985) and Ruth Wakefield in Marvin's Room (1996). She also appeared in television series such as MASH (1972) and Magnum, P.I.* (1980).
