Biography

Charlotte Greenwood

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Overview

Born
June 25, 1890 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died
December 28, 1977 · Los Angeles County, California, USA (undisclosed)
Birth name
Frances Charlotte Greenwood
Nicknames
- Lady Longlegs
- Letty
Height
6′ (1.83 m)

Mini bio

Charlotte Greenwood was born Frances Charlotte Greenwood on June 25, 1890, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a sickly child and her father left the family when she was very young. Charlotte grew into a healthy, six foot tall woman. She started her career dancing in vaudeville where she became known for her long legs. Her signature dance move was doing a high kick. She was nicknamed "Lady Longlegs". In 1915 Charlotte married actor Cyril Ring. She was deeply in love with him but he left her for another woman. Charlotte married songwriter Martin Broones in 1924. Although she dreamed of becoming a dramatic actress she had greater success in comedy. She starred in a series of stage shows playing a man crazy character named "Letty". The character became so popular that Charlotte starred in the movie version So Long Letty in 1929. She appeared in dozens of films including Down Argentine Way, Star Dust, and The Gang's All Here. Charlotte was usually cast as the comedic sidekick and became one the most recognizable character actresses. During World War 2 she joined the Hollywood Victory Caravan and traveled across the country with other film stars raising money. Charlotte returned to the stage in 1950 starring in Cole Porter's Out of This World. She was a devout Christian scientist and her faith made her turn down roles she felt were too risqué. In 1955 she played Aunt Eller in the hit musical Oklahoma. Charlotte made a few more films before retiring. She and Martin enjoyed a very happy marriage until his death in 1971. Charlotte died on December 28, 1977 from natural causes. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea. Since she had no children she left her personal papers to playwright William Luce.
- IMDb mini biography by: Elizabeth Ann

Family

Spouses

Trademarks

Starred in musicals
Often worked with Betty Grable

Trivia

Even when well into middle age, she could perform complete leg-splits as well as kick higher than the top of her own head - sideways!
Greenwood was the original choice to play "Aunt Eller" in the Broadway musical "Oklahoma!" In fact, the part was conceived with her in mind. Film commitments, however, kept her from doing the role and the part went to actress Betty Garde. As a testament to her popularity, Greenwood was asked to do the film version over a decade later.
Although she died in 1978, her death was not reported to the public until Valentines Day 1979 when an obituary appeared in the New York Times, stating she had no known survivors and that she left her personal papers to playwright William Luce as per her final wishes.
Originally had a prominent part in the Broadway version of "Annie Get Your Gun". At the insistence of star Ethel Merman, the part was pared down to almost nothing. When a dispirited Greenwood gave co-producer Richard Rodgers notice, a sympathetic Rodgers replied, "Letty, I can hardly blame you.".
Her first marriage to actor Cyril Ring, brother of screen legend Blanche Ring, ended in scandal after only six years; her second marriage to musician Martin Broones was long and happy.