Bobby Van
Bobby Van, born Robert Jack Stein (December 6, 1928 – July 31, 1980), was an American entertainer celebrated for his multifaceted talents as an actor, singer, dancer, and game show host, with a career that encompassed Broadway musicals, Hollywood films, television variety shows, and panel programs over three decades.[1][2] Raised in the Bronx, New York, by parents who were vaudeville performers, Van grew up immersed in show business and initially worked as a trumpeter in the Catskills resort circuit before discovering his aptitude for singing and tap dancing.[1] His energetic style and comedic flair drew comparisons to dancer Ray Bolger, establishing him as a versatile performer who thrived in musical theater and light entertainment.[2] Van's Broadway breakthrough came in 1950 with his debut in the revue Alive and Kicking, followed by a starring role as Junior in the 1954 revival of On Your Toes, which showcased his agile dance routines and vocal abilities.[1] He later earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Billy Early in the 1971 production of No, No, Nanette, a role that highlighted his enduring appeal in classic musical revivals.[1] In film, Van appeared in several movies, including a starring role in The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953) and supporting parts in MGM musicals such as Kiss Me Kate (1953), where he performed alongside Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel, as well as the 1973 musical remake Lost Horizon.[2][3][4] On television, Van became a familiar face as a guest on variety programs and a host of game shows, including Showoffs (1975) and The Fun Factory (1976), where his charm and quick wit engaged audiences in celebrity-driven formats.[5] He frequently appeared alongside his second wife, actress Elaine Joyce, on shows like Tattletales in the 1970s, blending his personal life with his professional persona.[5] Van's career was cut short by a malignant brain tumor, leading to his death at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles at age 51.[1][5]Biography
Early life and family
Bobby Van was born Robert Jack Stein on December 6, 1928, in The Bronx, New York City, to Jewish vaudeville performers Harry Stein and Mina Anapolsky.[6][7] His parents worked as part of the act "Gordon, Reed and King," providing young Stein with immersion in the entertainment world from an early age.[7] Growing up in this show business family, he spent much of his childhood backstage during his parents' performances, observing depression-era vaudeville acts that ignited his passion for performing.[8][6] Exposed to the rhythms and energy of live entertainment, Stein began tap dancing lessons at the age of three and made his initial stage appearance at four as part of his parents' routine.[6] By age seven, he was competing and performing in local amateur shows, honing his skills in dancing and singing amid the vibrant New York theater scene.[6] This early environment, rich with familial influence and direct access to performers, shaped his natural aptitude for the stage without mention of siblings contributing to his upbringing.[8] In his teens, Stein adopted the stage name Bobby Van, deriving "Van" from actor Van Johnson as explained in a 1976 interview on The David Frost Show.[9] He initially considered "King" after his father's stage persona but settled on "Van," which he later legalized.[10] By age 16 in 1944, he transitioned to professional nightclub engagements, marking his entry into independent work while building on the foundations laid by his family's vaudeville legacy.[6]Personal life and marriages
Bobby Van's first marriage was to actress Diane Garrett, whom he met through their shared connections in the show business circles of 1950s Hollywood.[11] The couple wed on September 11, 1952, in Las Vegas, Nevada, but kept the union secret for several months, only publicly announcing it in January 1953.[12] Their relationship faced challenges in starting a family, including the loss of a baby in 1956, after which they pursued adoption. During their marriage, Van and Garrett adopted a son, Peter, in 1959.[13][6] The adoption provided a stable family dynamic amid Van's demanding performance schedule, though the couple separated in 1964 and finalized their divorce on September 27, 1966.[14] Van's second marriage was to actress Elaine Joyce, whom he met on the set of a television show in the mid-1960s.[10] They married on May 1, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nevada, a union that lasted until Van's death and was marked by their frequent joint appearances on entertainment programs.[15] With Joyce, Van welcomed a daughter, Taylor, born in 1976.[6] The family resided in Los Angeles throughout the 1970s, where Van and Joyce focused on nurturing their daughter while maintaining a low-profile existence centered on family-oriented activities such as home gatherings and travel, steering clear of the Hollywood spotlight.[16] No major public scandals or controversies involving Van's personal life were reported during this period.[6]Illness and death
In 1979, Bobby Van was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.[8] He underwent surgery to remove the tumor at a Los Angeles hospital, followed by chemotherapy, but the cancer recurred and progressed rapidly.[8][17] Van died on July 31, 1980, at the age of 51, from complications of brain cancer at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.[17][18][2] Despite the illness, he hosted the Mrs. America pageant earlier that year, though it ultimately interrupted his late-career television projects.[5] A private funeral service was held, and Van was interred at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.[17] There were no reported disputes over his estate or legal issues following his death.[17]Career
Stage and Broadway work
Bobby Van's professional stage career began on Broadway in 1950, where he debuted as a dancer and ensemble performer in the short-lived musical revue Alive and Kicking, portraying roles such as the Milkman and George while contributing to numbers like "One Word Led to Another."[19] Born to vaudeville-performing parents, Van drew on early exposure to the form but established his reputation through energetic hoofing and comedic flair in musical comedies.[20] Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Van balanced Broadway appearances with regional and touring productions, showcasing his rubber-legged dance style often likened to that of Ray Bolger.[2] He starred as Junior in the 1954 revival of On Your Toes, a Rodgers and Hart musical that highlighted his athletic tap and song-and-dance abilities alongside co-stars like Elaine Stritch and Vera Zorina.[21] In regional theater, Van took leading roles, including a 1959 Los Angeles production of Oklahoma!, where he performed with Helen Gallagher and Jules Munshin. He also appeared in the comedy The Tunnel of Love during a 1963 summer tour, co-starring with Mickey Rooney.[22] Van achieved a major career resurgence in the 1970s with high-profile Broadway leads. He starred as Billy Early opposite Helen Gallagher and Ruby Keeler in the 1971 revival of No, No, Nanette, a production that ran for 861 performances and earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.[23] In 1975, he headlined as Steve Anderson in the short-lived original musical Doctor Jazz, demonstrating his versatility in jazz-infused choreography.[24] Later regional engagements included Billy Crocker in Anything Goes at the Kenley Players in 1977, partnering with Ann Miller in the Cole Porter classic.[25] His final notable stage role came in 1979 as Young Joe in Damn Yankees with the San Jose Civic Light Opera, co-starring Van Johnson. Van's stage legacy rests on his dynamic presence as a triple-threat performer, blending precise tap routines with humorous timing across two decades of musical theater, from ensemble spots to leading man revivals.[2] His major productions spanned:- Alive and Kicking (1950, Broadway, ensemble/dancer)
- On Your Toes (1954 revival, Broadway, Junior)
- Oklahoma! (1959, Los Angeles, lead role)
- The Tunnel of Love (1963 tour, co-lead)
- No, No, Nanette (1971 revival, Broadway, Billy Early; 861 performances)
- Doctor Jazz (1975, Broadway, Steve Anderson)
- Anything Goes (1977, Kenley Players, Billy Crocker)
- Damn Yankees (1979, San Jose Civic Light Opera, Young Joe)
Film roles
Bobby Van made his film debut in 1952 as a supporting dancer in the MGM musical Skirts Ahoy!, directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Esther Williams and Joan Evans.[26] His role, though uncredited, showcased his energetic dance abilities in a light-hearted ensemble piece about women joining the WAVES.[27] Van's breakthrough came in 1953 with lead and prominent supporting roles in three MGM musicals. In The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, directed by Don Weis, he played the titular eager high school suitor Dobie Gillis opposite Debbie Reynolds as Pansy Hammer and Bob Fosse as his rival roommate.[28] That same year, he appeared in Small Town Girl, directed by László Kardos, as Ludwig Schlemmer, a role highlighted by his signature "street dance" sequence in the number "Take Me to Broadway," where he performed an extended hopping routine opposite Ann Miller and Jane Powell. Also in 1953, Van had a supporting part as Gremio in Kiss Me Kate, directed by George Sidney, featuring alongside Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Ann Miller in the Cole Porter adaptation, with a notable dance in "From This Moment On."[29] Earlier that year, Van had a credited dance role as Artie Pilcer in Because You're Mine, a Mario Lanza vehicle directed by Alexander Hall.[30] As his career progressed, Van transitioned from light-hearted hoofer in musicals to character actor in dramas and genre films, though he never secured major leading roles after the 1950s. Mid-career highlights included supporting turns in science fiction and adventure pictures, such as Ens. Rutherford Chandler in The Navy vs. the Night Monsters (1966), directed by Michael A. Hoey. His final notable film role was as the optimistic Harry Lovett in the 1973 musical remake of Lost Horizon, directed by Charles Jarrott and starring Peter Finch and Liv Ullmann. Van appeared in approximately nine feature films between 1952 and 1973, primarily in musicals early on before shifting to supporting character parts. A chronological list of his credits includes:- Skirts Ahoy! (1952, dir. Sidney Lanfield; role: uncredited dancer; co-stars: Esther Williams, Debbie Reynolds)
- Because You're Mine (1952, dir. Alexander Hall; role: Artie Pilcer; co-stars: Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow)
- The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953, dir. Don Weis; role: Dobie Gillis; co-stars: Debbie Reynolds, Bob Fosse)
- Kiss Me Kate (1953, dir. George Sidney; role: Gremio; co-stars: Howard Keel, Ann Miller)
- Small Town Girl (1953, dir. László Kardos; role: Ludwig Schlemmer; co-stars: Jane Powell, Farley Granger)
- The Navy vs. the Night Monsters (1966, dir. Michael A. Hoey; role: Ens. Rutherford Chandler; co-stars: Mamie Van Doren, Anthony Eisley)
- Lost Flight (1969, dir. Leonard J. Horn; role: Eddie Randolph; co-stars: Lloyd Bridges, Micheline Presle)
- Doomsday Machine (1972, dir. Herbert J. Leder; role: Danny; co-stars: Grant Williams, Mala Powers)
- Lost Horizon (1973, dir. Charles Jarrott; role: Harry Lovett; co-stars: Peter Finch, Liv Ullmann)