Michael Kirby (figure skater)
Encyclopedia
Michael J.R. Kirby was a Canadian
figure skater who competed in men's singles. He won the gold medal at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
in 1942 before turning professional and joining the Ice Follies
in 1943. Hhe also competed in fours with Therese McCarthy, Virginia Wilson, and Donald Gilchrist and won the silver medal at the 1941 North American Championships
.
In the later 1940s, Kirby moved to California
and appeared in several movies with Sonja Henie
including The Countess of Monte Cristo
. He later relocated to Chicago
and established a chain of instructional ice skating rinks. As a coach, his pupils included Ronnie Robertson and Dick Button
.
Kirby married figure skater Norah McCarthy
in 1944. Their marriage produced eight children and lasted 57 years, until his death in 2002.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
figure skater who competed in men's singles. He won the gold medal at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
Canadian Figure Skating Championships
The Canadian Figure Skating Championships is a figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of Canada. It is organized by Skate Canada, the nation's figure skating governing body. The levels of the competition are senior and junior; in some years, the novice level has...
in 1942 before turning professional and joining the Ice Follies
Ice Follies
Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies was a touring ice show featuring elaborate production numbers, similar in concept to Ice Capades. It was founded in 1937 by Eddie Shipstad, Roy Shipstad, and Oscar Johnson, who also skated in the show. In later years, Olympic skaters such as Donald Jackson, Barbara...
in 1943. Hhe also competed in fours with Therese McCarthy, Virginia Wilson, and Donald Gilchrist and won the silver medal at the 1941 North American Championships
North American Figure Skating Championships
The North American Figure Skating Championships were a former elite figure skating competition for skaters from the United States and Canada. It was a biennial competition held between 1923 and 1971, with locations alternating between the two countries.Although the event was classified as an...
.
In the later 1940s, Kirby moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and appeared in several movies with Sonja Henie
Sonja Henie
Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She was a three-time Olympic Champion in Ladies Singles, a ten-time World Champion and a six-time European Champion . Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies figure skater...
including The Countess of Monte Cristo
The Countess of Monte Cristo (1948 film)
The Countess of Monte Cristo is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Frederick De Cordova and starring Sonja Henie, Olga San Juan and Dorothy Hart.-Cast:* Sonja Henie - Karen Kirsten* Olga San Juan - Jenny Johnsen* Dorothy Hart - Peg Manning...
. He later relocated to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and established a chain of instructional ice skating rinks. As a coach, his pupils included Ronnie Robertson and Dick Button
Dick Button
Richard Totten "Dick" Button is an American former figure skater and a well-known long-time skating television analyst. He is a two-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Champion...
.
Kirby married figure skater Norah McCarthy
Norah McCarthy
Norah McCarthy was a Canadian figure skater who competed in single skating winning the 1940 national title, and pair skating. She competed in pairs first with Ralph McCreath, winning the 1939 and 1940 national titles, and later with Sandy McKechnie....
in 1944. Their marriage produced eight children and lasted 57 years, until his death in 2002.
Men's singles
| Event | 1942 |
|---|---|
| Canadian Championships Canadian Figure Skating Championships The Canadian Figure Skating Championships is a figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of Canada. It is organized by Skate Canada, the nation's figure skating governing body. The levels of the competition are senior and junior; in some years, the novice level has... |
1st |
Fours
(with McCarthy, Wilson, and Gilchrist)| Event | 1941 |
|---|---|
| North American Championships North American Figure Skating Championships The North American Figure Skating Championships were a former elite figure skating competition for skaters from the United States and Canada. It was a biennial competition held between 1923 and 1971, with locations alternating between the two countries.Although the event was classified as an... |
2nd |