Vera-Ellen (1920–1981)

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Vera-Ellen (1920–1981)

American dancer and actress. Born Vera-Ellen Westmeyer Rohe, Feb 16, 1920, in Cincinnati, Ohio; died Aug 30, 1981, in Los Angeles, California; dau. of Martin F. Rohe (piano tuner) and Alma (Westmeyer) Rohe; m. Robert Hightower (dancer; div.); m. Victor Rothschild (oilman), Nov 19, 1954 (div. 1966).

Appeared as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall (1930s); made stage debut in Very Warm for May (1939); signed to MGM and made film debut opposite Danny Kaye in The Wonder Man (1945); performed in "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet segment of Words and Music (1948); receiving consistently high marks for her abilities, danced opposite Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and others in a series of musicals, including The Kid from Brooklyn (1946), Three Little Girls in Blue (1946), Carnival in Costa Rica (1947), On the Town (1949), Love Happy (1950), Three Little Words (1950), Happy Go Lucky (1951), The Belle of New York (1952), Call Me Madam (1953), The Big Leaguer (1953), White Christmas (1954) and Let's Be Happy (1957); retired from film (1957).

See also Women in World History.