Curiosidades

Taught Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe to dance.

Suffered from childhood disease that caused her legs to be badly bent and misshapen; her mother enrolled her in dance to strengthen them.

For Os Homens Preferem as Louras (1953), she coached stars Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in both their dance and walk--Monroe with less sex, Russell with more.

Although she and Bob Fosse separated in 1971, they remained married until his death in 1987. The couple had a daughter, Nicole Fosse (b. 1963). She was with Fosse when he collapsed from a heart attack just prior to the opening night of a revival of "Sweet Charity" at the National Theatre in Washington, DC; he was the director/choreographer, and she was the assistant choreographer.

Although uncredited, she was an assistant choreographer in Charity, Meu Amor (1969).

Before "Sweet Charity" made it to Broadway, her throat began hurting, but she continued to sing until she was almost completely voiceless. She was hospitalized, and it was discovered that a feather from one of the boas used for a costume was wrapped around her vocal cords.

Won four Tony Awards: one as Best Supporting or Featured Actress Musical) in 1954 for "Can-Can;" and three as Best Actress (Musical) in 1956 for "Damn Yankees!," a role she recreated in the film version of the same name., O Parceiro de Satanás (1958); in 1958 for "New Girl in Town," in a tie with her co-star Thelma Ritter; and in 1959 for "Redhead." She was also nominated as Best Actress (Musical) in 1966 for "Sweet Charity" and in 1976 for "Chicago."

Awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1998 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, DC.

Never pulled the "diva" act and was not overly possessive about her award-winning stage roles. In fact, she gamely coached Shirley MacLaine on the set of Charity, Meu Amor (1969), who was recreating Gwen's title character.

First married at the age of 17 (to a tabloid reporter).

Went on stage for a performance of "Sweet Charity" after finding out her mother passed away. She claimed that the only way she could cope was to go on with the show.

After her electrifying performance as "Claudine" in "Can-Can", Broadway critics hailed her as the greatest Broadway "discovery" since Mary Martin sang "My Heart Belongs To Daddy".

Collected glass perfume bottles.

Did not pursue dancing as a career until 1948.

Daughter of British emigrants to the US, who worked in Hollywood and lived in Culver City, where she was born.

Received further ballet training from Ernest Belcher, Marge Champion's father.

Portrayed in Fosse/Verdon (2019) by Michelle Williams. who won an Emmy Award on 9/22/19 for her performance.

Mother of Nicole Fosse (b. 1963)

Mother of Jim Henaghan (b. 1943).

Dance teacher in Culver City was Clara Reid.

She and Bob Fosse are one of several married couples to have both won Tonys. She received four, he received nine. The only year the couple won in the same ceremony was in 1959, for "Redhead": She won Lead Actress in a Musical and he for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography.

Brother: William Farrell Verdon (1922-91).

Tied with Angela Lansbury for most Tony wins by a performer in an individual acting category (Lead Actress in a Musical), with four each. She accomplished this first and in only six years: 1954 for "Can-Can", 1956 for "Damn Yankees", 1958 for "New Girl in Town", and 1959 for "Redhead".

One of six performers who won the Tony in back-to-back years. She won in 1958 for "New Girl in Town" and 1959 for "Redhead", both in the category Lead Actress in a Musical. The others are Shirley Booth (1949/50), Sandy Dennis (1963/64), Stephen Spinella (1993/94), Judith Light (2012/13), and Laurie Metcalf (2017/18).

In 1958 she and Thelma Ritter tied for the Tony for Lead Actress in a Musical, for "New Girl in Town". They were the first of ten ties in any category at the Tonys.