Carol Haney (born Carolyn Haney; August , â€" May , ) was an American
dancer and actress. After assisting Gene Kelly in choreographing
films, Haney won a Tony Award for her role in Broadway's The Pajama
Game, while later work as a stage choreographer earned her three Tony
nominations.Carolyn Grace Haney was born in New Bedford,
Massachusetts, to Norman, a bank teller, and Danish-born Iris Haney.
She had an older sister, Marian. She began to dance at age five and
opened a dancing school in her teens. After high school, Haney left
her home town for Hollywood and landed bit parts in movies until she
was spotted by dancer/choreographer Jack Cole, becoming his dance
partner and assistant from â€". In , Haney was hired by Gene Kelly to
be his assistant choreographer on several M-G-M musical films, and she
aided Kelly in some of his best work, including On the Town (), Summer
Stock (), An American in Paris (), Singin' in the Rain (), as well as
Kelly's dream project, Invitation to the Dance (). As Kelly's Dance
Captain, Haney routinely worked with his partner and upon learning
their strong points, choreographed numbers around them. Kelly
attempted to elevate Haney's film presence, most notably by wanting
her for the "Gotta Dance" sequence in Singin' in the Rain. He was
continually overruled by the studio who felt Haney lacked sufficient
physical appeal.Known as the most lithe dancer in films, Haney danced
with Bob Fosse in the film version of Kiss Me, Kate. When Fosse
landed his first Broadway choreographing assignment, The Pajama Game
(), he recommended that Haney be cast in a small dancing part. She
impressed director George Abbott so much that Abbott combined her role
with a larger part, resulting in the character of Gladys Hotchkiss,
showcasing her in two specialty dance numbers "Steam Heat" and "Once a
Year Day". The role shot Haney to Broadway fame and won her a Tony
Award and two Donaldson awards. The role of Gladys was lucky for
Haney's understudy, Shirley MacLaine. A month into the run of The
Pajama Game, in May , Haney injured her ankle during a Wednesday
matinee, and MacLaine took over the role. She was spotted by Hollywood
producer Hal Wallis, who had come to the show to see Haney, and
MacLaine got a film contract that launched her career, while Haney
never became a Hollywood star.
dancer and actress. After assisting Gene Kelly in choreographing
films, Haney won a Tony Award for her role in Broadway's The Pajama
Game, while later work as a stage choreographer earned her three Tony
nominations.Carolyn Grace Haney was born in New Bedford,
Massachusetts, to Norman, a bank teller, and Danish-born Iris Haney.
She had an older sister, Marian. She began to dance at age five and
opened a dancing school in her teens. After high school, Haney left
her home town for Hollywood and landed bit parts in movies until she
was spotted by dancer/choreographer Jack Cole, becoming his dance
partner and assistant from â€". In , Haney was hired by Gene Kelly to
be his assistant choreographer on several M-G-M musical films, and she
aided Kelly in some of his best work, including On the Town (), Summer
Stock (), An American in Paris (), Singin' in the Rain (), as well as
Kelly's dream project, Invitation to the Dance (). As Kelly's Dance
Captain, Haney routinely worked with his partner and upon learning
their strong points, choreographed numbers around them. Kelly
attempted to elevate Haney's film presence, most notably by wanting
her for the "Gotta Dance" sequence in Singin' in the Rain. He was
continually overruled by the studio who felt Haney lacked sufficient
physical appeal.Known as the most lithe dancer in films, Haney danced
with Bob Fosse in the film version of Kiss Me, Kate. When Fosse
landed his first Broadway choreographing assignment, The Pajama Game
(), he recommended that Haney be cast in a small dancing part. She
impressed director George Abbott so much that Abbott combined her role
with a larger part, resulting in the character of Gladys Hotchkiss,
showcasing her in two specialty dance numbers "Steam Heat" and "Once a
Year Day". The role shot Haney to Broadway fame and won her a Tony
Award and two Donaldson awards. The role of Gladys was lucky for
Haney's understudy, Shirley MacLaine. A month into the run of The
Pajama Game, in May , Haney injured her ankle during a Wednesday
matinee, and MacLaine took over the role. She was spotted by Hollywood
producer Hal Wallis, who had come to the show to see Haney, and
MacLaine got a film contract that launched her career, while Haney
never became a Hollywood star.
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