Haney, Carol (1925–1964)
Haney, Carol (1925–1964)
American dancer and choreographer. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1925; died in New York City, on May 10, 1964; married actor Larry Blyden (divorced); children: two.
A talented dancer and choreographer, Carol Haney was at the peak of her career when she was stricken with bronchial pneumonia and died suddenly at age 39. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1925, Haney studied dance as a child and had her own studio by the time she turned 15. Her career was launched in Hollywood where she danced in nightclubs with Jack Cole and assisted Gene Kelly in choreographing the movie musicals An American in Paris (1951), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and Brigadoon (1954). She also danced with Bob Fosse in the movie Kiss Me Kate (1953). Haney's first major role on Broadway was in the musical hit Pajama Game (1954), in which she dazzled the audience in the dance number "Steam Heat." She went on to choreograph the stage musicals Flower Drum Song (1961), Bravo Giovanni (1962), She Loves Me (1963), Jennie (1963), and Funny Girl (1964). She also choreographed the annual Oldsmobile industrial show and the Garry Moore television show. Haney was married to actor Larry Blyden with whom she had two children. They were divorced at the time of her death.