Charlotte Greenwood

Biography

Frances Charlotte Greenwood (June 25, 1890 – December 28, 1977) was a celebrated American actress and dancer, renowned for her impressive stature and remarkable agility. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Greenwood launched her career in vaudeville, eventually making a name for herself on Broadway, in films, and on radio. Standing at nearly six feet tall, she gained recognition for her exceptional long legs and high kicks, famously claiming to be the only woman capable of “kicking a giraffe in the eye.”

In 1913, her career took a significant leap when she was cast by Oliver Morosco as Queen Ann Soforth in the latter part of the run of L. Frank Baum's The Tik-Tok Man of Oz. This led to the creation of the successful musical So Long Letty, which catapulted her to stardom. Throughout her career, Greenwood shared the stage with notable figures such as Charles Ruggles, Betty Grable, and Buster Keaton. Critics like James Agate and Claudia Cassidy praised her work, particularly her portrayal of Juno in Cole Porter's Out of This World, where she introduced the classic number "I Sleep Easier Now."

Although she was originally meant to play "Aunt Eller" in the iconic Broadway production Oklahoma! in 1943, film obligations delayed her participation until the 1955 movie adaptation. Greenwood passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of artistic achievement. She was married twice, first to actor Cyril Ring and later to composer Martin Broones.