Ebsen, Vilma (1911–)

views updated

Ebsen, Vilma (1911–)

American tap dancer. Born Vilma Ebsen, 1911, in Belleville, Illinois; sister of Buddy Ebsen (actor and dancer).

Toured throughout Florida with brother Buddy in a tap act (late 1920s); joined him in NY (1929) and performed as tap-dancing team for 12 years; toured in musical show Whoopee (1930); gained lasting notoriety through columnist Walter Winchell's persistent praise of appearances at nightclubs including The Cotton Club (early 1930s); opened as tap-team with Buddy at the Palace (1930s); danced on Broadway in Ziegfeld Follies (1934); appeared in the film Broadway Melody of 1936.