Tommy Tune (yes, that is his real name),dancer, choreographer was born on February 28th, 1939 in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He started tap, acrobatics, and ballet lessons at the age of 5. He majored in drama at the University of Texas and the University of Houston.
In 1963 he moved to Manhattan, where he attended an audition for Irma La Douce, starring Genevieve. "First New York audition, first day in the big city, and I got the job! Now, that's a success story, all right, and except for one week spent as a concept coder for Young & Rubicam, I've been able to support myself in my chosen field ever since."
His credits include Baker Street in 1965, A Joyful Noise in 1967, and How Now Dow Jones in 1968. He received his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Seesaw in 1973. He directed the feminist musical The Club in 1976. Next came The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas followed by A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine and a second Tony for Best Choreography.
In 1981 he went off-Broadway to direct Caryl Churchill's Cloud 9. In 1982 he won his 3rd Tony for Best Direction of a Musical for Nine. For My One and Only he won for Best Choreography and Best Actor in a Musical. After Stepping Out, he won two Tonys again for Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical for Grand Hotel. The next year he did The Will Rodgers Follies on Broadway and won two more Tonys (Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical). He did his acclaimed one-man song and dance extravaganza, Tommy Tune Tonite! on Broadway, and touring nationally and internationally.
Tommy Tune has received, in addition to his nine Tony Awards: eight Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, Dance Magazine's Award for Lifetime Achievement, the 1990 American Dance Award from the National Academy of Dance, the 1990 Drama League Musical Theater 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 named to the Top 10 International Best Dressed List of 1992. He participated in the "What Becomes a Legend Most" ad campaign for which he is the first to have two photos appearing simultaneously.
He did two movies early in his career: Hello Dolly and The Boyfriend. He has been invited to sing and dance for three US presidents, the Queen of England, and the Royal family of Monaco. In 1991 he was inducted by Gwen Verdon into the Theatre Hall of Fame at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre. In 1994, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1997, he released his autobiography, FOOTNOTES, published by Simon and Schuster and his first solo CD, Slow Dancin, on the RCA/Victor label.
In January 1999, he took over as the headliner for the MGM Grand extravaganza "EFX." His original one year contract has just been extended for 6 months.
Sources: MGM Grand EFX website
FOOTNOTES by Tommy Tune
Quote from FOOTNOTES by Tommy Tune
