Luce, Claire (1903–1989)

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Luce, Claire (1903–1989)

American theatrical dancer. Born Oct 15, 1903, in Syracuse, NY; died Aug 31, 1989, in New York, NY; m. Clifford W. Smith.

Made professional debut with Russian Opera Ballet (1921); appeared on Broadway in numerous musicals, including Little Jesse James (1923), Dear Sir (1924), The Music Box Revue of 1924, No Foolin' (1926) and The Scarlet Page (1929); was Fred Astaire's 1st dance partner after his sister Adele's retirement, performing with him on Broadway in The Gay Divorcée (1932), among others; switched to straight drama, creating the role of Curley's Wife in Of Mice and Men (1937); also appeared in Shakespearean roles on stage, tv and film; films include Up the River (1930), Lazybones (1935), Vintage Wine (1935) and Over She Goes (1938).