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Gower Carlyle Champion (June 22, 1919 – August 25, 1980) was an American actor, theatre director, choreographer, and dancer. Early years. Champion was born on June 22, 1919, in Geneva, Illinois, as the son of John W. Champion and Beatrice Carlisle. He was raised in Los Angeles, California, where he graduated from Fairfax High School. [1] .
Gower Champion was a versatile performer who appeared in musicals, TV shows and movies. He was married to dancer Marge Champion and directed shows like Hello, Dolly! and An Evening with Julie Andrews and Harry Belafonte.
- January 1, 1
- Geneva, Illinois, USA
- January 1, 1
- New York City, New York, USA
Gower Champion was a dancer, actor, choreographer and director who won eight Tony Awards. He was married to Marge Champion and died in 1980 after directing the original 42nd Street.
- June 22, 1921
- August 25, 1980
- Gower Champion was nominated for 15 Tony Awards and won 8 times. That’s just one shy of director/choreographer Bob Fosse, who won 9 Tonys in all.
- When he was only a junior in high school, Champion won a dance contest with his dance partner, Jeanne Tyler. The duo promptly quit school and hit the road, touring nightclubs as “Gower and Jeanne.”
- Gower and Jeanne made their Broadway debut in a 1939 revue called The Streets of Paris. The show also featured Abbott & Costello and Carmen Miranda.
- After serving in the Coast Guard during WWII, Champion partnered with Marjorie Belcher, the daughter of his former dance teacher. First billed as “Gower and Bell,” they soon found acclaim as “Marge and Gower Champion,” and married in 1947.
Learn about the life and career of Gower Champion, an eight-time Tony Award-winning dancer, actor, choreographer, and director. He created musicals such as Bye Bye Birdie, Carnival!, Hello, Dolly!, and 42nd Street.
CHAMPION, Gower (b. 22 June 1919 in Geneva, Illinois; d. 25 August 1980 in New York City), noted dancer, choreographer, and director of stage, screen, and television. Source for information on Champion, Gower: Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Thematic Series: The 1960s dictionary.
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Aug 24, 2010 · A tribute to the late director and choreographer of musicals like Bye Bye Birdie, Hello, Dolly! and 42nd Street. Learn about his distinctive style, his collaborations with famous composers and performers, and his legacy in the theater.
