Vera-Ellen
Biography
Vera-Ellen was an American dancer, actress, and singer who appeared in film musicals. Born in Norwood, Ohio, she began ballet at ten, won Major Bowes Amateur Hour at thirteen, and later made a 1939 Broadway debut in Very Warm for May. She became a Rockette and appeared in Panama Hattie, By Jupiter, and A Connecticut Yankee. Samuel Goldwyn spotted her in that last show and brought her to Hollywood for Wonder Man (1945), her first film. She danced with Kelly in Words and Music (1948) and On the Town (1949), joined Love Happy (1949), shared top billing with Astaire in The Belle of New York (1952), and co-starred with Donald O'Connor in Call Me Madam (1953). Her penultimate film was White Christmas (1954) with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. After frequent variety appearances, she retired after The Perry Como Show in 1958 and The Dinah Shore Show in 1959.
60years old at death
- Born Norwood
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- Vera-Ellen Westmeier Rohe (birth name)Also credited as Vera-Ellen Westmeyer Rohe
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 9 years1945 to 1954
First and latest
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A first
Vera-Ellen was one of the youngest dancers ever to join the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, a job she took after her Broadway debut in 1939.
Big break
Vera-Ellen was spotted by producer Samuel Goldwyn while appearing on Broadway in A Connecticut Yankee, and he cast her opposite Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo in the 1945 film Wonder Man.
A first
From her first film, Wonder Man in 1945, Vera-Ellen's singing was dubbed, though she had recorded two duets for the 1943 Broadway cast album of A Connecticut Yankee.
Early training
Vera-Ellen trained at the Hessler Studio of Dancing, where one of her fellow students was Doris Day, and she began ballet at age 10.
First role
At age 13, Vera-Ellen won on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour and used that win to launch her professional career.
Vera-Ellen movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Bess Flowers appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bess Flowers's page
Frank Baker's page
Gene Kelly's page
Percy Helton's page
George Chakiris's page
Danny Kaye's page
Also two films together2 more actors
- Alice PearceThe Belle of New York (1952) and On the Town (1949)
- Betty GarrettOn the Town (1949) and Words and Music (1948)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.