Carol Haney was an American dancer and actress. After assisting Gene Kelly in choreographing films, Haney won a Tony Award for her role in Broadway'sThe Pajama Game, while later work as a stage choreographer earned her three Tony nominations.
Life and career
Born Carolyn Grace Haney in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Norman, a bank teller, and Danish-born Iris Haney. She had an older sister, Marian. She began to dance at age five and opened a dancing school in her teens. After high school, Haney left her home town for Hollywood and landed bit parts in movies until she was spotted by dancer/choreographer Jack Cole, becoming his dance partner and assistant from 1946–48. In 1949, Haney was hired by Gene Kelly to be his assistant choreographer on several M-G-Mmusical films, and she aided Kelly in some of his best work, including On the Town, Summer Stock, An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain, as well as Kelly's dream project, Invitation to the Dance. As Kelly's Dance Captain, Haney routinely worked with his partner and upon learning their strong points, choreographed numbers around them. Kelly attempted to elevate Haney's film presence, most notably by wanting her for the "Gotta Dance" sequence in Singing in the Rain. He was continuely overruled by the studio who felt Haney lacked sufficient physical appeal. Known as the most lithe dancer in films, Haney danced with Bob Fosse in the 1953 film version of Kiss Me, Kate. When Fosse landed his first Broadway choreographing assignment, The Pajama Game, he recommended that Haney be cast in a small dancing part. She impressed director George Abbott so much that Abbott combined her role with a larger part, resulting in the character of Gladys Hotchkiss, showcasing her in two specialty dance numbers "Steam Heat" and "Once a Year Day". The role shot Haney to Broadway fame and won her a Tony Award and two Donaldson awards. The role of Gladys was lucky for Haney's understudy, Shirley MacLaine. A month into the run of The Pajama Game, in May 1954, Haney injured her ankle during a Wednesday matinee, and MacLaine took over the role. She was spotted by Hollywood producer Hal Wallis, who had come to the show to see Haney, and MacLaine got a film contract that launched her career, while Haney never became a Hollywood star. After this, Haney appeared in a few shows, including the touring production Ziegfeld Follies of 1956, but developed paralyzing stage fright. She was seen on television, and she recreated her performance as Gladys in the film version of The Pajama Game. She then focused her career on choreography for Broadway shows: Flower Drum Song, Bravo Giovanni, She Loves Me and Funny Girl. The American Dance Machine featured her chorography from television. Haney earned three Tony Award for Best Choreography nominations: for Flower Drum Song, Bravo Giovanni, and Funny Girl. In May 1958, she appeared with Dick Van Dyke as a guest star on Polly Bergen's short-lived NBCvariety show, The Polly Bergen Show as well as popular game shows such as "What's My Line?". Haney demonstrated her talent as a dramatic actress in occasional stage productions such as the role of Lila in William Inge's "A Loss of Roses" along with newcomer Warren Beatty. However for the film version she was once again passed over for the part she originated on stage.
Family
Haney was married to Eugene Dorian Johnson and then Broadway actor and TV hostLarry Blyden, whom she choreographed in Flower Drum Song. She and Blyden had two children, Joshua and Ellen.
Death
Haney died in Saddle River, New Jersey in 1964, at age 39, six weeks after the opening of Funny Girl, which she choreographed. The cause was pneumonia, complicated by diabetes and alcoholism. Blyden and Haney resided in the historic Achenbach House in Saddle River, New Jersey, which they believed to be haunted by the spirit of its builder. The house was later sold to tour operatorMario Perillo and was destroyed by fire in 2004.
