Vera K. Maxwell (October 19, 1891 – May 1, 1950) was an American actress, dancer, choreographer, and showgirl.

Early years

Maxwell was born in 1891 in New York City. The 1905 New York Census has her living in a Manhattan rooming house with her mother, also named Vera Maxwell, who is listed as a widow working as a milliner.

Stage and screen Career

Maxwell's first performance credit was as "Blondy, Third Bell Boy" in the Broadway musical comedy ''Mr. Hamlet of Broadway'' from December 1908 to February 1909. She was next cast in the ''

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' was a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934 and 1936. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as ''The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air ...

of 1909'' as a showgirl, where she achieved great success. She also seemed to have great fun, as she reportedly "danced the ''Fandango Rag''" for the Follies company on a dining table during a 1910 New Year's Eve party. Maxwell was in the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' of 1910 and the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' of 1911 when she became principal in the production. She returned for the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' of 1912, and the following year went to London to perform in ''All the Winners'' at London's Empire Theatre. By that point, she was famous for her theatrical talent; London papers described her as "a dancer and singer of considerable repute in New York." After reportedly "taking London by storm," Maxwell made a short film in England titled ''Always Gay'' where she danced "The Evening News Waltz" with Jack Jarrett. Also in 1913, Maxwell reportedly had her portrait painted by

Paul Helleu Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chris ...

, who declared that Maxwell was "one of two the most beautiful women in America." Around the same time, Maxwell was voted "the most beautiful woman on stage" in Paris. Maxwell was back in New York City by late 1913, where she performed at Hammerstein's with dance partner Wallace McCutcheon. She made headlines early in 1914 when she was reported to "make $1,000 a week tangoing" and had "insured each of her slim and lithesome feet for $50,000 each." Her next Broadway show was ''The Century Girl'' (1916–17), where she again danced with Wallace McCutcheon. She then appeared in ''Dance and Grow Thin'' (1917) and ''Miss 1917'' (1917-1918). Her late career credits include ''The Tantrum'' in 1924 and ''Triple Crossed'' at the

Morosco Theatre The Morosco Theatre was a Broadway theatre near Times Square in New York City from 1917 to 1982. It housed many notable productions and its demolition, along with four adjacent theaters, was controversial. History Located at 217 West 45th Stree ...

in 1927.

Personal life

The Ziegfeld organization announced that Maxwell was engaged to businessman George H. Taylor in December 1912, but the marriage never took place. Maxwell remained single for the rest of her life. Maxwell died in New York City in 1950.

References

External links

Internet Broadway Database

Internet Movie Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, Vera K. Ziegfeld Follies 1891 births 1950 deaths American dancers