Janet Fox
Encyclopedia
Janet Fox was an American actress, niece of American novelist and playwright Edna Ferber
, known for playing the role of Bernice Niemeyer in the original Broadway
production of Stage Door, and for playing Tina in the original Broadway production of Dinner at Eight.
Janet Fox made her Broadway debut in 1932 as Tina, the conniving maid in the Kaufman
-Ferber
comedy Dinner at Eight
. (Kaufman was about as effusive as he could manage after watching her perform: "You know, you're pretty good—for a niece.") She played Nurse Preen in USO tours of the Kaufman-Hart comedy, The Man Who Came to Dinner
, with playwright Moss Hart
in the title role of Sheridan Whiteside. She went on to recreate the role of the bedpan-wielding nurse in the 1969 musical version, Sherry!
which starred Clive Revill
and Dolores Grey.
Her other Broadway credits include Between Two Worlds (1934), Fools Rush In (1934), Cross Ruff (1935), Life's Too Short (1935), Tomorrow's a Holiday! (1935), Stage Door (1936), Having Wonderful Time (1937), The American Way (1939), Higher and Higher (1940), Two Story House (1941), Bravo, Tall Story (1959), The Tattooed Countess (1961) and Once for the Asking (1963).
She toured with George Hamilton
, Susan Watson
and Jan McArt in Gigi and was a frequent player at the Bucks County Playhouse where she replaced for Eileen Heckart
as Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker with one week's notice. She appeared in the 1940 film, They Knew What They Wanted, starring Charles Laughton
and Carole Lombard
and portrayed her aunt in the 1963 film version of Moss Hart
's autobiography, Act One.
She performed extensively on both radio and television. She had recurring roles on the Phil Silvers Show
and the first television soap opera, Valiant Lady, which was broadcast live. She appeared in scores of commercials as well as hour-length plays for Studio One, The Alcoa Hour
and The Steel Hour
.
Janet Fox died in Palm Beach
on April 22, 2002 of natural causes
, at the age of 89. She is survived by her husband Henry Goldsmith, her daughter Julie Gilbert Daniel, and son-in law Francis Daniel.
Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels were especially popular and included the Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big , Show Boat , and Giant .-Early years:Ferber was born August 15, 1885, in Kalamazoo, Michigan,...
, known for playing the role of Bernice Niemeyer in the original Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Stage Door, and for playing Tina in the original Broadway production of Dinner at Eight.
Biography
Janet Fox was born June 12, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois.Janet Fox made her Broadway debut in 1932 as Tina, the conniving maid in the Kaufman
George S. Kaufman
George Simon Kaufman was an American playwright, theatre director and producer, humorist, and drama critic. In addition to comedies and political satire, he wrote several musicals, notably for the Marx Brothers...
-Ferber
Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels were especially popular and included the Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big , Show Boat , and Giant .-Early years:Ferber was born August 15, 1885, in Kalamazoo, Michigan,...
comedy Dinner at Eight
Dinner at Eight (play)
Dinner at Eight is a play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber.-1932 Original Production:Dinner at Eight opened October 22, 1932 at the Music Box Theatre. It closed after 232 performances in May 1933. The play was produced by Sam H. Harris, staged by George S. Kaufman; Assistant Director: Robert B...
. (Kaufman was about as effusive as he could manage after watching her perform: "You know, you're pretty good—for a niece.") She played Nurse Preen in USO tours of the Kaufman-Hart comedy, The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedy in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It debuted on October 16, 1939 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. It then enjoyed a number of New York and London revivals. The first London production was staged at The Savoy Theatre starring Robert...
, with playwright Moss Hart
Moss Hart
Moss Hart was an American playwright and theatre director, best known for his interpretations of musical theater on Broadway.-Early years:...
in the title role of Sheridan Whiteside. She went on to recreate the role of the bedpan-wielding nurse in the 1969 musical version, Sherry!
Sherry!
Sherry! is a musical with a book and lyrics by James Lipton and music by Laurence Rosenthal. The musical is based on the George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart play The Man Who Came to Dinner....
which starred Clive Revill
Clive Revill
Clive Selsby Revill is a New Zealand-born British character actor best known for his performances in musical theatre and on the London stage.-Early life and stage career:...
and Dolores Grey.
Her other Broadway credits include Between Two Worlds (1934), Fools Rush In (1934), Cross Ruff (1935), Life's Too Short (1935), Tomorrow's a Holiday! (1935), Stage Door (1936), Having Wonderful Time (1937), The American Way (1939), Higher and Higher (1940), Two Story House (1941), Bravo, Tall Story (1959), The Tattooed Countess (1961) and Once for the Asking (1963).
She toured with George Hamilton
George Hamilton (actor)
George Stevens Hamilton is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Hamilton was the youngest son of bandleader George "Spike" Hamilton and his first wife, Ann Stevens . He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and lived in Blytheville, Arkansas...
, Susan Watson
Susan Watson
Susan Watson is an American actress and singer best known for her roles in musical theatre.Watson's first professional role was Velma in the original West End production of West Side Story in 1958. She created the role of Luisa in The Fantasticks and then played Kim on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie,...
and Jan McArt in Gigi and was a frequent player at the Bucks County Playhouse where she replaced for Eileen Heckart
Eileen Heckart
Eileen Heckart was an American actress of stage, screen, and television.-Early life:Heckart was born Anna Eileen Heckart in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Esther and Leo Herbert. She was legally adopted by her grandfather, J.W. Heckart. Her family was of Irish and German descent...
as Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker with one week's notice. She appeared in the 1940 film, They Knew What They Wanted, starring Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton was an English-American stage and film actor, screenwriter, producer and director.-Early life and career:...
and Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard was an American actress. She was particularly noted for her comedic roles in the screwball comedies of the 1930s...
and portrayed her aunt in the 1963 film version of Moss Hart
Moss Hart
Moss Hart was an American playwright and theatre director, best known for his interpretations of musical theater on Broadway.-Early years:...
's autobiography, Act One.
She performed extensively on both radio and television. She had recurring roles on the Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show is a comedy television series which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G...
and the first television soap opera, Valiant Lady, which was broadcast live. She appeared in scores of commercials as well as hour-length plays for Studio One, The Alcoa Hour
The Alcoa Hour
The Alcoa Hour is a live anthology television series sponsored by Alcoa and telecast in the United States from 1955 to 1957. The series was seen Sundays on NBC at 9pm.-Overview:...
and The Steel Hour
The United States Steel Hour
The United States Steel Hour is an anthology series which brought hour-long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation....
.
Janet Fox died in Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
on April 22, 2002 of natural causes
Death by natural causes
A death by natural causes, as recorded by coroners and on death certificates and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to natural agents: usually an illness or an internal malfunction of the body. For example, a person dying from complications from influenza or a heart attack ...
, at the age of 89. She is survived by her husband Henry Goldsmith, her daughter Julie Gilbert Daniel, and son-in law Francis Daniel.