Bob Fosse biography

Bob Fosse was an American dance, musical theatre choreographer and director, actor, screenwriter and film director. He was born in June 23, 1927 and died in September 23, 1987 at age of 60. Bob Fosse got heart attack and everyone was really saddened because of his death.

He had three wives:

             Mary Ann Niles,                      Joan McCracken                           Gwen Verdon

       who was his dance partner                    dancer                                    dancer/actress

                                               

Fosse's career begun at age of thirteen when he started "The Riff Brothers" collaboration with his friend dancer Charles Grass. They were touring many theaters and then Bob Fosse moved to New York. There he met his first wife and he appeared in "Call Me Mister" with her what brought him to the attention of  Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. He came to Hollywood when signed the MGM contract in 1953.
George Abbott hired him to choreograph "The Pajama Game" musical. This musical was a huge success and that's when he won his first Tony award.

Bob Fosse rehearsing with dancers

As an artist Bob Fosse was known for his modern dance style. He always used jazz hands, both hips and shoulder rolls appear frequently, turned-in knees, sideways shuffling and white gloved, single handed gestures. His dances were seaxual and physically demanding or even the most highly trained dancers.

Bob Fosse's choreography in "The Rich Man's Frug"

Ken Alan's tap dance performance inspired by Bob Fosse's show in "Redhead" (1959)

Links:

main - http://www.fosse.com/features/fosse_an_introduction2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Fosse#Personal_life

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/bob-fosse/