Jeannie Carson
Jeannie Carson (born Jean Shufflebottom; 23 May 1928) is a retired English-born comedian, actress,[1] singer and dancer. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jeannie Carson | |
---|---|
Born | Jean Shufflebottom 23 May 1928 Pudsey, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK |
Nationality | English |
Other names | Jean Carson |
Occupation | Actress, singer, dancer |
Years active | 1948–1970 |
Spouse(s) | Bill Redmond |
Children | 2 |
Early life
The daughter of show business parents,[2] Carson was born in Pudsey, West Riding of Yorkshire.[3] In her early British films, she performed under the name Jean Carson, but later changed her given name to "Jeannie" to avoid confusion with the similarly named American actress Jean Carson.[3]
Acting career
Carson became an overnight star in Love from Judy, a musical by Hugh Martin and Jack Gray, and produced by Emile Littler, which played at the Saville Theatre in London from 1952 to 1953. After producer Max Liebman saw her in that production, he signed her to a contract to appear on television in the United States.[2]
In 1956, Carson starred in her own series Hey, Jeannie!,[2] which aired on CBS. The series lasted one season before being cancelled in 1957. (Although six new episodes of a revamped format were broadcast in 1958). She appeared as a guest panellist on 24 February 1957 episode on What's My Line?.[4] In 1969, she appeared as Marcy Vincente on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. Oscar winner Anne Revere portrayed her mother, and Anthony George played her husband.
Personal life
In 1960, Carson married her second husband, actor Biff McGuire,[3] while both were starring in the Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow. The couple toured together in 1961 in Camelot, with McGuire as King Arthur and Carson as Guenevere. Later, they performed at the Seattle Repertory for fifteen years, often together.
Filmography
- 1948 – A Date with a Dream
- 1953 – Love in Pawn
- 1955 – As Long as They're Happy
- 1955 – An Alligator Named Daisy
- 1957 – Rockets Galore! (US title: Mad Little Island)
- 1958 – Little Women[5] (CBS Musical) (portraying Jo March)
- 1961 – Seven Keys
- 1964 – My Fair Lady (bit part)
Broadway appearances
- 1959-63 – The Sound of Music[6]
- 1960 – Finian's Rainbow[6]
- 1970 – Blood Red Roses[6]
References
- "Jean Carson". Unsung Heroines. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
- Gaver, Jack (16 September 1962). "Vivacious Jeannie Carson Is Waiting for New Musical". Tennessee, Kingsport. Kingsport Times-News. p. 30. Retrieved 12 January 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- "British Film Institute Film & TV Database". Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
- What's My Line? – Robert Wagner; Jeannie Carson (panel) (Feb 24, 1957)
- Ellenberger, Allan R. (2000). "Television". Margaret O'Brien: A Career Chronicle and Biography. McFarland & Company. p. 205. ISBN 0-7864-2155-X. Retrieved 26 November 2016 – via Google Books.
- "Jeannie Carson". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 13 January 2016.