Expert: Mel - 3/25/2009

Question
Mel, I've been wracking my brain and cannot (possibly due to the "age" of my brain) make it come up with the name of the dancer I'm trying to remember.  He was extremely skinny, tall, young, dark hair, attractive, and had a "catchy" name...  like, Tommy Tunes... something like that. If you can pull this one out of the past for me, I'd certainly appreciate it!  Thanks so much!
Page

Answer
Hello Page,

Nothing wrong with your memory. His name is indeed Tommy Tune. Here are a few facts about him......

Date of Birth
28 February 1939, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA

Birth Name
Thomas James Tune

Height
6' 6½" (1.99 m)

Mini Biography:
Tommy Tune is possibly the tallest dancer in the country. He was in the New York Company of "How Now Dow Jones" when Ernest Lehman engaged him to play Ambrose Kemper in the film, "Hello, Dolly!" in 1969. In 1971 he starred alongside Twiggy in the movie musical "The Boy Friend." His father is a Texas restaurateur. Tommy acted in, directed and choreographed school productions, arrived in New York St. Patricks day, 1964 and, 24 hours later, had a role in the road company of "Irma La Douce". For a year, he was featured dancer in "Baker Street" on Broadway. He has his Masters Degree in Fine Arts which he received at the University of Houston.

Trivia:
Recipient of a (USA) National Medal of Arts, 2003.

Has won more Tony Awards than anyone else. His nine Tonys are: in 1974, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical), for "Seesaw;" in 1980, as Best Choreographer (with collaborator Thommie Walsh) for "A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine;" in 1982, as Best Director (Musical) for "Nine;" in 1983, as Best Actor (Musical) and Best Choreographer (also shared with Walsh) for "My One and Only;" in 1990, as Best Director (Musical) and Best Choreographer, for "Grand Hotel, The Musical;" and in 1991 as Best Director (Musical) and Best Choreographer for "The Will Rogers Follies." He was also nominated five other times, for a total of 14 nominations: in 1979, as Best Director (Musical), shared with Peter Masterson, and Best Choreographer for "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas;" in 1980, as Best Director (Musical) for "A Day in Holywood/A Night in the Ukraine;" in 1982, as Best Choreographer for "Nine;"and in 1983, as Best Director (Musical), again shared with Walsh, for "My One and Only." His additional record of winning four Tonys in four different categories has recently been tied by Harvey Fierstein.

He majored in drama at the University of Texas (BFA) and the University of Houston (MFA).

Recipient of eight Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, Dance Magazine's Award for Lifetime Achievement; the 1990 American Dance Award (presented by the National Academy of Dance); the 1990 Drama League Musical Theatre Award for Direction and Choreography; the Astaire Award in both 1990 and 1991; the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement, the University of Texas' Distinguished Alumnus Award; and the Jean Cocteau International Style Award. He was also named to the Top 10 International Best Dressed List of 1992.

In 1991, he was inducted by Gwen Verdon into the Theatre Hall of Fame in Broadway's Gershwin Theatre, and three years later was honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 1777 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

His dream of playing Las Vegas finally came true in 1999 when he debuted as the star of EFX at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Once worked as assistant choreographer on TV's "The Dean Martin Show" (1965).

In Houston, Texas, the Tommy Tune Award recognizes excellence in high school musical theater.

His autobiography, Footnotes (1997), details his personal relationships with stage manager David Wolfe, who died of AIDS in 1994, and actor/costumer Michael Stuart (1943-1997), with whom Tune lived for seven years.

Tommy and Sandy Duncan tried to put a musical version of the classic MGM film Easter Parade (1948) together, but it never got off the ground. What they did do is star in "Two for the Show" in 1998. They presented a double bill of their musical touring acts into a single evening. Tommy took the first act and Sandy Duncan most of the second act. They then joined for the big finale which showed some of their numbers from the abandoned "Easter Parade". Tune worked with Duncan before -- in "My One and Only" in 1985 and, before that, as a 19-year-old dance partner to the 12 year old Duncan in Texas.

Attended Lamar High School in Houston, Texas.

Sister, Gracey Tune, is an award-winning dancer and owner of a popular multi-arts studio in Fort Worth, Texas.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 1777 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.