BOB FOSSE

Born on June 23, 1927 in Chicago

Father: Cyril Mother: Sara Alice Stanton

Fosse was the fifth of six children

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Born into a star-struck family fosse started dancing at age 9

He began studying dance at a small neighborhood institution but soon moved on to the Frederick Weaver Ballet School In 1940 he formed a night-club team with Charles Gross called the Riff Brothers and began choreographing for amateur productions

Joined the navy after high school serving his country in an entertainment unit.

EARLY LIFE

After serving he returned home working as a performer, with his wife and fellow dancer Mary Allen Niles choreographing all of their dances

Started appearing on Broadway and in film. (Never experienced great success in the movies, he returned to his roots)

After meeting his second wife, dancer Joan McCracken in 1950 Fosse began studying acting and dancing at the American Theater Wing

Spotted by a talent scout for MGM in 1952, Fosse headed to Hollywood to become a musical star. He made his debut as a Broadway dancer and established himself as a professional choreographer with the musical The Pajama Game

His breakthrough moment as a choreographer came in 1954 when he was given a chance to work on The Pajama Game

BIG BREAKTHROUGH

MusicalsThe Pajama GameRedheadBig dealLittle MeSweet CharityChicagoPippinDancin'CabaretDamn YankeesNew Girl in TownHow to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingLennyAll That JazzStar 80Fosse

Awards Sant Jordi AwardNational Board of ReviewNew York Film Critics Circle AwardsDirectors Guild of AmericaDavid di Donatello AwardCannes Film FestivalBodil AwardBlue Ribbon AwardBerlin International Film FestivalAmerican Choreography AwardBAFTA AwardsPrimetime Emmy AwardsGolden GlobesAcademy Awards

ACHIEVEMENTS

Fosse hardly fit the dance ideal so he focused more on rhythm and style to make up for what he lacked physically

His choreography is said to be highly stylized, and sexual

In most of his choreographed sequences, you will see him or his protégés wearing a hat, gloves, and net stockings, vests and black pants

Finger snapping, turned in knees and toes, shoulder rolls, hip rolls and isolations

CHARACTERISICS OF FOSSE’S STYLE

BOB FOSSE CHOREOGRAPHY - " THE RICH MAN'S

FRUG " - YOUTUBESWEET CHARITY

His non-stop work schedule and smoking, drinking, and drugs eventually caught up to him in the form of heart trouble in 1970

In 1979 he created the film All That Jazz Despite cutting back on some of his well-known

addictions Fosse died in 1987 from a heart attack at the age of 60

He brought a sexual style to jazz and a new look

THE END OF HIS CAREER

“Live like you'll die tomorrow, work like you don't need the money, and dance like nobody's

watching”

“Don't dance for the audience; dance for yourself”

“I thank God that I wasn't born perfect”

QUOTES

Youtube.com/fossedancesBio.com/bobfosseOfficialboardwaymusic.orgBorgraphy.com/bobfosse

BIBLIOGRAPHY