McCracken, Joan

Joan McCracken was a star of stage and screen, most notably a musical comedy star. She was born in Philadelphia on December 31, 1917 (most sources say 1922). A trained ballerina, she was the youngest soloist in the Philadelphia Ballet, starring Catherine Littlefield. Joan McCracken spent one year in the Radio City corps-de-ballet before moving to the Broadway stage. Her first role was in the original production of Oklahoma! in 1943. Other roles were in Bloomer Girl, Billion Dollar Baby, Me and Juliet (1953), Peter Pan (1951), Angel in the Pawnshop, The Sleeping Prince (1957) and Clifford Odet's play The Big Knife (1949). Her films included Good News and Hollywood Canteen . She also starred in her own television show entitled Claudia (1952). She was married to the writer, Jack Dunphy and to the choreographer, Bob Fosse. She died November 1, 1961.

From the guide to the Joan McCracken ephemera, ca. 1930-1958, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)