Champion, Gower, 1919-1980

Champion was born in Geneva, IL, June 22, 1919; grew up in Los Angeles, CA; appeared in Broadway musical reviews, including Streets of Paris, Lady comes across, and Count me in, 1939-41; appeared with wife Marjorie Bell (Marjorie Celeste Belcher) as dancing team, Marge and Gower Champion, NYC, 1947; appeared in various movies, including Show Boat, Lovely to look at, Everything I have is yours, Give the girl a break, and Mr. Music; various television appearances on Toast of the town, GE Theatre, Dinah Shore Show, Telephone hour, and We four (1953-60); producer and director, Academy Awards show, 1969; choreographed and directed Bye, bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), Carnival, I do, I do, Three bags full, Sugar (1972), and Irene (1973); received Tony awards for Bye, bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), and The happy time (1967-68); member, Screen Directors Guild; died, Aug. 25, 1980.

Biography

Gower Champion was born in Geneva, Illinois, June 22, 1919; grew up in Los Angeles, California; appeared in Broadway musical reviews, including Streets of Paris, Lady Comes Across, and Count Me In, 1939-41; appeared with wife Marjorie Bell (Marjorie Celeste Belcher) as dancing team, Marge and Gower Champion, New York City, 1947; appeared in various movies, including Show Boat, Lovely to Look at, Everything I Have is Yours, Give the Girl a Break, and Mr. Music ; various television appearances on Toast of the Town, GE Theatre, Dinah Shore Show, Telephone Hour, and We Four (1953-60); producer and director, Academy Awards show, 1969; choreographed and directed Bye, Bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), Carnival, I Do, I Do, Three Bags Full, Sugar (1972), and Irene (1973); received Tony awards for Bye, Bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), and The Happy Time (1967-68); member, Screen Directors Guild; died, August 25, 1980.