Bob Fosse

Born: June 23, 1927, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: September 23, 1987, Washington, D.C.
Education: Amundsen High School
Wife: Gwen Verdon
Ex-wives: Mary Ann Niles and Joan Hume McCracken
Parents: Cyril K. Fosse, Sr. and Sadie Alice Fosse
Daughter: Nicole Fosse
Siblings: Donald Stanton Fosse; Cyril K. Fosse, Jr.; Edward Fosse; Patricia Fosse and Mary Fosse

His dance style was very stylish and modern, easily recognized. Some of his signature moves were: turned-in knees, sideways shuffling, and rolled shoulders and the famous jazz hands

Fosse’s dance style was often recognized as somewhat provocative, originating from his youth as a cabaret night club dancer.

“If you think you can do better, then do better. Don't compete with anyone; just yourself” -Bob Fosse

“Choreography is writing on your feet” -Bob Fosse

“Live like you'll die tomorrow, work like you don't need the money, and dance like nobody's watching.” -Bob Fosse

“Don't dance for the audience, dance for yourself.” -Bob Fosse

Historical Events

1920: Women gained the right to vote
1939-1945: WW2
1950: Korean War
1951: Colour television introduced in the US.
1964: Civil Rights Act Introduced
1969: First man on the moon
1960-1970: Vietnam War
1998: Bill Clinton Impeached

Fashion Trends

1930 Fashion: gowns in liquid satins and silks, tweed suits, flounces and frills, berets or tilt hats.

1940s Fashion: Women: Pinup dresses, A-line tea dresses, swing dresses, high-waisted pants, peep-toe shoes for the ladies. Men: Pinstripe Zoot suits, two-tone shoes, vests, suspenders, and fedora hats

1950s Fashion: Unpadded, rounded shoulders, shapely bust lines, closely-defined waistlines, and fully, billowy skirts, Blouses, jeans, and long, narrow skirts

1960s Fashion: drainpipe jeans, capri pants, casual dress, plaid button-down shirts, slim blue jeans, comfortable slacks, or skirts.

1970s Fashion: bell-bottom pants, frayed jeans, midi skirts, maxi dresses, Tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos

1980s Fashion: teased hair or spiral perms for women, mullets or more clean-cut styles for men, baggy and oversized tops, leggings, high-waisted jeans, ripped and acid-washed denim, tight exercise clothing for every day (leg warmers and spandex) all in very bright, bold colours.

Though Bob Fosse was a very creative choreographer, who essentially developed a new style of dance, his dance wouldn't be what it was if it wasn’t for some major things. None of his dance moves seemed to have much of an influence from his time serving in World War 2, however during this war, he had extra space and time to further develop his talent in dance. A major inspiration for Fosse was Jack Cole. Bob took many of his shoulder moves and slides and used them motion for motion or created a spin-off of the original movie. He also was inspired by the extreme focus that Cole had. Onset, Jack did not turn his attention away from the choreography and his dancers. Fosse’s choice of fashion and clothing for his dancers was heavily inspired by Fred Astaire. In a majority of Fosse’s numbers, he incorporated a top hat, this decision was based primarily on the work Astaire had done in the said hat. Much of his provocative, sexual dance styles came from his time as a Cabaret night club dancer. Finally, a good part of his work was influenced by the many wives that he had. His second wife was the one who pushed him to become a choreographer and he created many pieces with his wife Gwen Verdon before they split up.

As An Actor/ Performer:
1953- The Affairs of Dobie Gillis
1955- My Sister Eileen
1953- Kiss Me Kate
1958- Damn Yankees
1977- Thieves Actor
1974- The Little Prince
1953- Give a Girl a Break
1951- Billion Dollar Baby
1952- Pal Joey
1948- Make Mine Manhattan
1947- Call Me Mister
1950- Dance Me a Song

As a Choreographer and a Director:
1974- Lenny
1969- Sweet Charity
1972- Cabaret
1983- Star 80
1979- All That Jazz
1972- Pippin
1975- Chicago
1962- Little Me
1959- Redhead
1965- Pleasures and Palaces
1966- Sweet Charity
1972- Liza
1978- Dancin'
1986- Big Deal

As a Choreographer (only):
1957- The Pajama Game
1954- White Christmas
1955- Damn Yankees
1958- New Girl in Town
1961- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
1961- The Conquering Hero
1956- Bells Are Ringing

A Perfectionist
Bob Fosse was very particular with just about everything surrounding the films and musicals that he choreographed and directed

Creative/Self-expressive
Bob Fosse created a whole new style of dance and was famous for his creativity

Witty/ Flirtatious/ Attention Seeking
Bob Fosse knew how to make jokes on set and some of his works displayed his dark humour. He was known to have affairs and he took every chance to be in the limelight.

Optimistic and Resilient
Fosse overcame lots in his life, including epilepsy, severe stage anxiety, growing up in night clubs, rejection, etc.

He served briefly in the Navy - towards the end of WW2

He had severe audition anxiety - he had to dance through nausea-inducing anxiety

He was the only person to ever win Emmy, Tony, and Academy Awards for directing all in the same year.

He turned down an offer to direct Michael Jackson’s new music video “Thriller”, over lunch with the man himself.

Bob Fosse’s work is a major influence on dance as it is now. When he was alive, he was a major influence on many dance-oriented music videos of the ’80s and ’90s by Michael Jackson, Madonna and many more. Now he has created a trademark dance move known as Jazz Hands in the jazz world. In addition, many film producers used Fosse’s rapid editing techniques, when films were in demand. They called this aggressive approach to edit “Fosse Time”. Not to mention many of Fosse’s moves are still used in modern-day musicals, including Chicago, a musical that he once choreographed and directed. In conclusion, Bob Fosse is credited for a major part of what dance and musicals are in the present, and his legend in the showbiz will forever be remembered.