Tommy Wonder (dancer)

Tommy Wonder (March 7, 1914 in Montana – December 11, 1993 in Riverdale, Bronx, New York City) was an American dancer, actor, choreographer, and artist manager. He was a principal dancer in the 1943 Ziegfeld Follies.[1]

As a child, Wonder had an unspecified physical disability which hindered his ability to walk; to help him, his mother used clothes and a broomstick to build a puppet on which he could support himself. Wonder named the puppet "Suzanne", and with its help he was able not only to learn to walk, but to dance at a professional level; an upgraded version of "Suzanne", designed by members of the Westmore family, with human hair, and Wonder's mother's original broomstick, is in the Smithsonian Institution.[2]

Career

Wonder began as a child actor, performing in vaudeville; he subsequently appeared in the Our Gang films.[3] As an adult, Wonder performed in numerous musical comedies;[4] he also appeared in more serious films, including the 1938 Gangster's Boy.[5] By 1946, his fame was such that his presence at social events was considered worth reporting.[6]

In 1970, Wonder retired from performing and co-founded an artist management business with his former singing partner Don Dellair.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Tommy Wonder; Actor and 'Ziegfeld Follies' Dancer, in the Los Angeles Times; published December 12, 1993; retrieved July 28, 2015
  2. ↑ American Puppetry: collections, history and performance, p. 209, edited by Phyllis T. Dircks, 2004; volume 23 of the Performing Arts Resource Series of the Theatre Library Association; via Google Books
  3. ↑ Tommy Wonder, 78, Ex-Ziegfeld Dancer at the New York Times, December 18, 1993
  4. ↑ Tommy Wonder at the Internet Broadway Database
  5. ↑ Gangster's Boy at the Internet Movie Database
  6. ↑ WIPO Domain Name Decisions: D2005-0293 at the WIPO; "The opening of the Casino was attended by many Hollywood stars of the day, such as Jimmy Durante, Tommy Wonder, Eddie Jackson and Rose Marie."
  7. ↑ NEW YORKERS, Etc at the New York Times, by Enid Nemy, August 14, 1988
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