• Source: Virginia Gibson

      • Virginia Gibson (born Virginia Gorski; April 9, 1925 – April 25, 2013) was an American dancer, singer and actress of film, television and musical theater.


      Early years


      Gibson was born on April 9, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was of Polish and Irish lineage and graduated from St. Alphonsus Parochial School.


      Career


      Gibson started her career in musicals in her hometown of St. Louis. In 1937, she was one of 35 girls chosen for the St. Louis Opera Company's ballet productions. She danced in the chorus of a production of The Student Prince there in 1940, and in 1943 she was part of the dancing chorus of the summer season of the Muny Opera. In the fall of 1943, she was one of three dancers from that group to sign contracts to perform in Roll Up Your Sleeves on Broadway. She used her birth name on Broadway through 1949. In 1947, she returned to perform at the Muny Opera as the star of No, No, Nanette.
      Gibson was signed by Warner Bros. in 1950 and made her film debut in Tea for Two (1950). Billed as a starlet, she was a member of a group of Hollywood actors who traveled across the country in 1951-1952 promoting the 50th anniversary of movie theaters. With Roscoe Ates and Charles Starrett, she toured eastern Oklahoma greeting the public. In Hollywood, she played supporting or leading roles in a number of Warner Bros. musicals. Her most famous film role was Liza in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Warner Bros. elected to not renew her contract option. Gibson later said: "There are just so many musicals, and they had Doris Day. And who can shine in comparison to her vivacity?"

      On television, Gibson was a regular on Captain Billy's Showboat (1948). She also starred in So This Is Hollywood (1955).: 987  She was a regular performer on The Johnny Carson Show (1955–56).: 540  In 1956, she returned to Broadway to play Ethel Merman's daughter in the musical Happy Hunting. She then became one of the stars of Your Hit Parade,: 1209  one of the most popular TV shows of the 1950s, for one season. She had a three-month stint as a jazz singer on the TV version of Young Doctor Malone. From 1962 to 1971, she cohosted (with Frank Buxton and later Bill Owen) the ABC-TV children's documentary program Discovery.
      Gibson also appeared in commercials for a cake mixes, cameras, candy bars, detergents and various soap products, hair sprays and paper towels.
      When her performing career ended, Gibson taught at the HB Studio in New York.


      Personal life


      Gibson never married or had any children. She adhered to Roman Catholicism and was a lifelong Republican who supported Dwight Eisenhower during the 1952 presidential election.


      Death


      On April 25, 2013, Gibson died in Newtown, Pennsylvania at the age of 88.


      Awards


      In 1957, Gibson was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Beth Livingstone in Happy Hunting.


      Theatrical appearances


      A Connecticut Yankee (Dancing Girl), 1943–44, Martin Beck Theater, New York
      Laffing Room Only (Dancer). 1944-45, Winter Garden Theater, New York
      Billion Dollar Baby (Chorine, Dancer), 1945–46, Alvin Theater, New York
      No, No, Nanette (Nanette), 1947, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      Babes in Toyland (Jill), 1947, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      High Button Shoes (corps de ballet), 1947, New Century Theatre, New York
      Look, Ma, I'm Dancin'! (Snow White), 1948, Adelphi Theatre, New York
      Along Fifth Avenue (Singer, dancer), 1949, Broadhurst Theatre, New York
      Bitter Sweet (Dolly), 1949, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      Bloomer Girl (Daisy), 1949, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      Irene (Helen), 1949, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      The Vagabond King (Lady Mary), 1949, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      The New Moon (Julie), 1949, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      Whoopee! (Harriet Underwood), 1950, St. Louis Municipal Opera
      The Great Waltz (lead dancer) 1953, Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and San Francisco Light Opera
      Happy Hunting (Beth Livingstone), 1956–57, Majestic Theatre, New York


      Filmography


      Tea for Two, Warner Bros., 1950
      Painting the Clouds With Sunshine, Warner Bros., 1951
      Goodbye, My Fancy, Warner Bros., 1951
      The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, Warner Bros., 1952 (uncredited)
      About Face, Warner Bros., 1952
      Stop, You're Killing Me, Warner Bros., 1952
      She's Back on Broadway, Warner Bros., 1953
      Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, MGM, 1954
      Athena, MGM, 1954
      I Killed Wild Bill Hickok, The Wheeler Company, 1956
      Once Upon a Honeymoon (Short), Jerry Fairbanks Productions, 1956
      Funny Face, Paramount Pictures, 1957


      References




      External links



      Virginia Gibson at IMDb
      Virginia Gibson at the Internet Broadway Database

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