Jane Powell

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Biography

American singer, dancer and actress, born 1 April 1929 in Portland, Oregon, USA.

  • Real name
  • Suzanne Lorraine Burce
  • Name variations
  • Jane Powell & Brothers·Jane Powell & Rich· Young & Pretty
  • Jane Powell And Brothers
  • Primary profession
  • Actress·soundtrack
  • Country
  • United States
  • Nationality
  • American
  • Gender
  • Female
  • Birth date
  • 01 April 1929
  • Place of birth
  • Portland· Oregon
  • Death date
  • 1896
  • Death age
  • 70
  • Children
  • John Powell
  • Spouses
  • Dickie Moore
  • Member of
  • Republican Party
  • Parents
  • Alexander Powell

Music

Movies

TV

Books

Trivia

Is a coloratura soprano who started her career singing on the radio before age 13.

(February 2006) Based out of Roanoke and is currently singing on NCL cruise ships.

Her role model and favorite actress is the lyrical soprano/actress, Jeanette MacDonald.

Grew up watching Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy movies.

Best known for her role as Milly in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers .

Was bridesmaid for Elizabeth Taylor for her first marriage. Taylor was bridesmaid for Powells first marriage.

Sang at the Inaugural Ball for President Harry S. Truman on January 20, 1949.

Roddy McDowall , a friend from the beginning of Janes Hollywood career and the remainder of his life, was an usher at her first wedding.

Jane replaced June Allyson and Judy Garland for the role in Royal Wedding , after June became pregnant and Judy became sick.

When the Burce family first arrived in Hollywood, they rented Donald Meek s house.

She learned and loved to cook before she was 10 years old.

At the age of 12, Jane Powell was selected "Oregon Victory Girl".

Her father worked for Wonder Bread for almost 20 years, before the family moved to Oakland.

She appeared on stage with Howard Keel after her movie career was over. They performed together in "I Do, I Do!" and "South Pacific" among others.

Although one of the best singers of her time, Powell never learned to play an instrument or read music.

Attended Agnes Peters Dancing School as a child in Portland, Oregon.

Christened the ship "Peter Skene Ogden" on November 14, 1942. The ship was torpedoed and sank in World War II on February 22, 1944.

Dated dancer Stanley Catron after meeting on the set of Song of the Open Road .

Her husband Patrick Nerney bought her a pair of diamond earrings and due to her fear of needles, she figured the only way she would have of wearing them was to have her ears pierced under anaesthetic. Upon discovering she was pregnant with her last daughter Lindsay, she explained to the doctor that he could only handle her case if he would pierce her ears while she was on the delivery table. He agreed, and she left the delivery room with a baby daughter and two pierced ears.

Beside actress Elizabeth Taylor , other bridesmaids at her wedding to Geary Anthony Steffen Jr. included Roddy McDowall s sister Virginia McDowall , Ed Sullivan s daughter Betty Sullivan and Powells good friend Margie Dillon.

She appeared with Vic Damone in four films: Rich, Young and Pretty , Athena , Deep in My Heart and Hit the Deck .

First husband Geary Steffin gained fame as a professional figure skater partnering with Sonja Henie. They appeared in ice carnivals as well as motion pictures during the 1940s. He died on July 14, 2004 in Santa Monica, California.

Has performed before five U.S. Presidents and the Queen of England.

Had never met former child actor and future husband Dickie Moore until 1981 when he was researching his book on child stars, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

The character she played in the movie Song of the Open Road was named Jane Powell. MGM gave her the name of the character she played for her own stage moniker.

With the decline of movie musicals in the late 1950s, Jane left MGM before they could fire her. She resuscitated her career by making a move to the East Coast and appearing on the musical stage.

Son Geary Anthony Steffen III ("G.A.") born July 21, 1951. Daughter Suzanne Ilene Steffen ("Sissy") born November 21, 1952. Daughter Lindsay Averille Nerney born February 1, 1956.

In 2005, she served as mistress of ceremonies at the memorial service for the deceased author Evan Hunter also known as Ed McBain, and famous as the screenwriter for The Birds .

Friends with Debbie Reynolds ; they share the same birthday. Despite being three years apart, they both celebrate their own birthdays, every April 1 of each year.

(March 2007) Powell and child star husband, Dickie Moore , call a quaint cottage in Fairfield County, Connecticut home.

A Republican, she sang the National Anthem at the 1956 Republican National Convention.

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6818 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

Appointed as National Talent Development Manger for English Lacrosse in 2017.

Quotes

The only thing I knew was MGM, where I had worked since I was 14. Unions,were not even a part of my vocabulary. SAG meant a gravity problem.

EQUITY meant owning a house.

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