April 2
Born Today:
Buddy Ebsen
Best known as Jed Clampett on the 1960s TV show The Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy Ebsen (1908-2003) was a dancer earlier in his career, trained by his father, a Danish choreographer and dance teacher. The younger Ebsen and his sister Vilma Ebsen (1911-2007) later performed in nightclubs and on Broadway in shows including Whoopee! (1928) and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1934. He was almost the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939), but apparently he had a violent allergic reaction to the silver makeup and the role was given to Jack Haley, with the adorable accent. But what if Ebsen had been able to complete the movie…
Also Born Today: Actor/dancer Jack Buchanan (1891-1957) is best known for his role in film The Band Wagon (1953), alongside Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Nanette Fabray (1920-2018). Tap dancer Charles “Honi” Coles (1911-1992), is best known for the duo Coles & Atkins, with Charles “Cholly” Atkins (1913-2003).
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Ballet Premiere: The Dream in 1964