Bob Fosse

Robert Louis Fosse was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 23, 1927. His father, Cyril Kingsley Fosse, was a travelling salesman for the Hershey Company, and Bob was the fifth of six children. Fosse took an early interest in dance. He began his training at an early age and was dancing professionally on vaudeville stages while in his early teens as a duo with Charles Grass called The Riff Brothers. After graduating from high school, Fosse enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and was still in boot camp by the time World War II ended. He performed in a variety show called Tough Situations, which toured military and naval bases around the Pacific. Once he was finished fulfilling his military duties, he moved to New York City to pursue his dance career.

While establishing his career, Fosse was married to his dance partner, Mary Ann Niles, from 1947-1951. They divorced and Fosse was remarried to dancer Joan McCracken from 1952-1959. Fosse credited McCracken with changing the direction of his life and leading him to focus on choreography. His third wife, and longest marriage, was to dancer and actress Gwen Verdon. They married in 1960 and had a daughter, Nicole Fosse, in 1963. Fosse had many extramarital affairs, resulting in the two separating in 1971. Fosse had many health problems, including epilepsy. He suffered a seizure onstage while in rehearsal for The Conquering Hero in 1961. His deteriorating health led to a heart attack on September 23, 1987. Fosse had been working on the revival of Sweet Charity, which was opening at the National Theatre, when he suddenly collapsed into Gwen Verdon’s arms near the Willard Hotel. Fosse’s ashes were scattered by Verdon and their daughter, Nicole, in the Atlantic Ocean near Quogue, Long Island.

Key Dates & Events

• 1945 - Fosse enlists in the Navy.
• 1947 - Fosse makes his theatrical debut in a national tour of Call Me Mister.
• 1947 - Fosse marries his dance partner, Mary Ann Niles.
• 1952 - Fosse marries dancer Joan McCracken.
• 1953 - Fosse signs a contract with MGM.
• 1954 - Fosse choreographs his first Broadway musical The Pajama Game.
• 1960 - Fosse marries his third wife, Gwen Verdon.
• 1961 - Fosse suffers a seizure onstage while in rehearsal for The Conquering Hero.
• 1969 - Fosse makes his directorial debut with the film adaptation of Sweet Charity.
• 1973 - Fosse receives an Academy Award for Best Director of Cabaret.
• 1975 - Fosse has a Broadway smash with the musical Chicago.
• 1979 - Fosse writes, directs, and choreographs All That Jazz, a semi-autobiographical film.
• 1999 - The musical Fosse celebrates Fosse’s legacy and lasting works.