Gallagher, Helen (1926–)

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Gallagher, Helen (1926–)

American theatrical dancer and actress. Born July 19, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY; m. Frank Wise (sep. 1958).

Trained at School of American Ballet and soon made her debut in replacement cast of The Seven Lively Arts (c. 1943); danced in numerous acclaimed works including Balanchine's Mr. Strauss Goes to Boston (1945), Jerome Robbins' Billion Dollar Baby (1945) and High Button Shoes (1947), and Agnes de Mille's Brigadoon (1947); featured in numerous Broadway productions including the title role in Hazel (1953), Guys and Dolls (1955), Finians' Rainbow (1955), Portofino (1958), Sweet Charity (1966), Mame (1966) and No, No, Nanette (1971), for which she won a Best Actress Tony; appeared in dramatic roles on such soap operas as "Ryan's Hope" (1975–89) and "One Life to Live" (1997) and in the film Roseland (1977). Also won a Tony for Best Supporting Actress for Pal Joey (1952).