Born in New York City, Dan Dailey started his career in vaudeville, later making his Broadway debut in the stage version of "Babes in Arms". When signed to MGM, the studio initially casted him as a Nazi in _The Mortal Storm . The studio realized their mistake and cast him in musical films, thereafter. Then, after serving in World War II, Dailey later returned to acting to make more musicals.
His only child, Dan Dailey III, committed suicide in 1975
Older brother of actress Irene Dailey.
Interred at Forest Lawn (Glendale), Glendale, California, USA, in the Court of Freedom, lot #7065.
Broke his hip in a fall while performing in the play "The Odd Couple" in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1977. Confined to a wheelchair, he later continued to perform despite his confinement.
Lectured on the college circuit in later years speaking on dance and motion, the art of acting in dance and the importance of acting to the dancer.
First appeared on stage at age six in a minstrel show singing "Here Comes Danny ONeill".
Born in New York City and raised as a child in Long Island, his father, James J. Dailey was a hotel man. His mothers name was Helen.
As an expert horseman, Dan won 75 ribbons at horse shows. He especially enjoyed training horses for jumping competitions.
Understudied Ray Bolger on Broadway in the musical "On Your Toes" before finding a rewarding employment in the musicals "Babes in Arms" and "Stars in Your Eyes". In the latter Ethel Merman starrer, he was the dancing partner of ballerina Tamara Toumanova.
Signed by MGM in 1940, the song-and-dance man was instead put into straight acting roles that went nowhere. His career was interrupted by military service. At first making training films in Long Island, he later served with the Cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he taught recruits how to ride horses. He was eventually sent overseas and served with the 88th Infantry Regiment in northern Italy.
According to an in-depth article written by Frances Ingram in the January 2001 issue of Classic Images film magazine, Dan was buried in his favorite pink hunting jacket and singer and long-time friend John Raitt sang at his funeral.
Reunited on stage in later years with his favorite co-star Betty Grable when they co-starred in "Guys and Dolls" at the Dunes Hotel in Vegas in late 1962 and in "High Button Shoes" in Southern California in 1964.
Dans first wife, Esther Rodier, was a high school sweetheart; second wife Elizabeth Hofert was a Los Angeles socialite; third wife Gwen Carter OConnor was a former actress and the ex-wife of actor Donald OConnor ; fourth wife Carol Warner was a dancer.
In Hollywood, after you get a little success, the next thing you usually,get is a divorce.
