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 theatre.

Early years

Of Polish and Irish lineage, Gibson was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gorski. She graduated from St. Alphonsus Parochial School.

Career

Gibson, who was signed by Warner Bros. in 1950 and made her film debut in '' Tea for Two'' (1950), started her career in musicals in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. In 1937, she was one of 35 girls chosen for ballet in St. Louis Opera Company 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 Muny Opera, this time as the star of ''No, No, Nanette''.

Billed as a starlet, she was part of the 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 Brothers musicals. Her most famous film role was Liza in ''Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'' (1954)''.'' Reflecting on Warners' non-renewal of her option, Gibson 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). She was a regular performer on ''The Johnny Carson Show'' (1955–56), an earlier Carson series, not to be confused with ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson''. 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'', 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 co-hosted, 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, she taught at the HB Studio in New York.

Death

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

Awards

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

Personal life

Gibson never married or had any children. She adhered to Roman Catholicism and she was a lifelong Republican who supported Dwight Eisenhower during the 1952 presidential election.''Motion Picture and Television Magazine'', November 1952, pg. 34, Ideal Publishers.

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 Brothers, 1950
*'' Painting the Clouds With Sunshine'' Warner Brothers, 1951
*'' Goodbye, My Fancy'' Warner Brothers, 1951
*''The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima'' Warner Brothers, 1952 (Virgin Mary, uncredited)
*'' About Face'' Warner Brothers, 1952
*'' Stop, You're Killing Me'' Warner Brothers, 1952
*'' She's Back on Broadway'' Warner Brothers, 1953
*''Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'' MGM, 1954
*''Athena'' MGM, 1954
*''So This Is Hollywood'' ( TV sitcom) 1955
*''I Killed Wild Bill Hickok'' The Wheeler Company, 1956
*''Once Upon a Honeymoon'' Jerry Fairbanks Productions, 1956
*''Funny Face'' Paramount Pictures, 1957

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibson, Virginia
1925 births
2013 deaths
Actresses from St. Louis
American television actresses
American film actresses
American musical theatre actresses
American female dancers
20th-century American actresses
American Roman Catholics
New York (state) Republicans
Pennsylvania Republicans
California Republicans
Missouri Republicans
21st-century American women