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George Abbott

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For other people named George Abbott, seeGeorge Abbott (disambiguation).

George Abbott
Abbott in 1928
Abbott in 1928
BornGeorge Francis Abbott
(1887-06-25)June 25, 1887
Forestville, New York,U.S.
DiedJanuary 31, 1995(1995-01-31)(aged 107)
Miami Beach, Florida,U.S.
Occupation
  • Theatre producer
  • theatre director
  • playwright
  • screenwriter
  • film producer
  • film director
EducationUniversity of Rochester(BA)
Harvard University
Period1913–1995
Notable awards
Spouse
  • Edna Levis
    ​
    ​
    (m.1914; died 1930)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m.1946;div.1951)​
  • Joy Valderrama
    ​
    ​
    (m.1983)​

George Francis Abbott(June 25, 1887 – January 31, 1995) was an American theatre producer, director, playwright, screenwriter, film director and producer whose career spanned eight decades.[1]He received numerous honors including sixTony Awards,thePulitzer Prize,theKennedy Center Honorsin 1982.[2][3][4]theNational Medal of Artsin 1990.[5]and was inducted into theAmerican Theatre Hall of Fame.

Starting as an actor he later became known for producing numerousBroadwayproductions such asPal Joey(1940),On the Town(1944),Call Me Madam(1950),Wonderful Town(1953),The Pajama Game(1954),Damn Yankees(1955),New Girl in Town(1957),Once Upon a Mattress(1959),Fiorello!(book, 1959),A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(1962),Broadway(1987),Damn Yankees(1994).

Abbot also acted in numerous films in the 1920s and 1930s. He received anAcademy Award for Best Writingnomination forAll Quiet on the Western Front(1930). He later directed the movie musicals adaptations ofThe Pajama Game(1957), andDamn Yankees(1958).

Early years[edit]

Abbott was born inForestville, New York,to George Burwell Abbott (May 1858Erie County, New York– February 4, 1942Hamburg, New York) and Hannah May McLaury (1869 – June 20, 1940Hamburg, New York). He later moved to the city ofSalamanca,which twice elected his father mayor. In 1898, his family moved toCheyenne, Wyoming,where he attendedKearney Military Academy.Within a few years, his family returned to New York, and he graduated fromHamburg High Schoolin 1907.[1][6]

In 1911 he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from theUniversity of Rochester,[1][6]where he wrote his first play,Perfectly Harmless,for the University Dramatic Club. Abbott then attendedHarvard University,to take a course in playwriting fromGeorge Pierce Baker.[6]Under Baker's tutelage, he wroteThe Head of the Family,which was performed at the Harvard Dramatic Club in 1912.[7]He then worked for a year as "author, gofer, and actor" at theBijou TheatreinBoston,where his playThe Man in the Manholewon a contest.[6]

Career[edit]

George Abbott andPhilip Dunning(1928)

Abbott started acting on Broadway in 1913, debuting inThe Misleading Lady.[1][8]While acting in several plays in New York City, he began to write; his first successful play wasThe Fall Guy(1925).[1][8]

Abbott acquired a reputation as an astute "show doctor". He frequently was called upon to supervise changes when a show was having difficulties in tryouts or previews prior to its Broadway opening.[9]His first hit wasBroadway,written and directed in partnership withPhilip Dunning,whose play Abbott "rejiggered".[10]It opened on September 16, 1926, at theBroadhurst Theatreand ran for 603 performances. Other successes followed, and it was a rare year that did not have an Abbott production on Broadway.[citation needed]

He also worked in Hollywood as a film writer and director[11]while continuing with his theatre work.

Among those who worked with Abbott early in their careers areDesi Arnaz,Gene Kelly,June Havoc,Betty Comden,Adolph Green,Leonard Bernstein,Jules Styne,Stephen Sondheim,Elaine Stritch,John Kander,Fred Ebb,Carol BurnettandLiza Minnelli.[11]He introduced the "fast-paced, tightly integrated style that influenced" performers and especially directors such asJerome Robbins,Bob FosseandHal Prince.[8]

Autobiography[edit]

In 1963, he published his autobiography,Mister Abbott.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Abbott was married to Edna Lewis from 1914 to her death in 1930; they had one child. ActressMary Sinclairwas his second wife. Their marriage lasted from 1946 until their 1951 divorce.[12]He had a long romance with actressMaureen Stapleton[7]from 1968 to 1978. She was 43 and he was 81 when they began their affair, then ten years later Abbott left her for a younger woman.[13]His third wife was Joy Valderrama. They were married from 1983 until his death in 1995.[12][14]

Abbott was a vigorous man who remained active past his 100th birthday by golfing and dancing. He died of a stroke on January 31, 1995, at his home onSunset IslandoffMiami Beach,Florida, at age 107.The New York Timesobituary read, "Mrs. Abbott said that a week and a half before his death he was dictating revisions to the second act ofPajama Gamewith a revival in mind, in addition to working on a revival ofDamn Yankees.[14]

At the age of 106, he walked down the aisle on opening night of theDamn Yankeesrevival and received a standing ovation. He was heard saying to his companion, 'There must be somebody important here.' "Just thirteen days before his 107th birthday, Abbott made an appearance at the48th Tony Awards,coming onstage with fellowDamn YankeesalumniGwen VerdonandJean Stapletonat the end of the opening number, a medley performed by the nominees for Best Revival of A Musical, which includedGrease,She Loves Me,Carousel,and his ownDamn Yankees.[14]

He was cremated atWoodlawn Park Cemeteryin Miami and the ashes were taken by his wife.[15]

Family[edit]

In addition to his wife, who died in 2020 at 88, Abbott was survived by a sister, Isabel Juergens, who died a year later at the age of 102; two granddaughters, Amy Clark Davidson and Susan Clark Hansley; a grandson, George Clark, and six great-grandchildren.[14]

Honours[edit]

In 1965, the54th StreetTheatre was rechristened theGeorge Abbott Theatrein his honour. The building was demolished in 1970.[7][16]New York City'sGeorge Abbott Way,the section of West 45th Street northwest ofTimes Square,is also named after him.

He received New York City'sHandel Medallionin 1976, honorary doctorates from the Universities ofRochesterandMiami,and theKennedy Centre Honorsin 1982.[2][3][4]He was also inducted into the Western New York Entertainment Hall of Fame[17]and theAmerican Theatre Hall of Fame.In 1990, he was awarded theNational Medal of Arts.[18]

Work[edit]

Stage[edit]

Source:Playbill[19]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Credit
1918 The Imposter Writer, actor (Lem)
1926 Love 'Em and Leave 'Em Writer
1927 Hills of Peril Playwright,A Holy Terror
1928 Four Walls Playwright, writer
1929 Coquette Playwright
1929 The Carnival Man Director
1929 Broadway Playwright, writer
1929 The Bishop's Candlesticks Director
1929 Why Bring That Up? Director, writer
1929 The Saturday Night Kid Playwright,Love 'Em and Leave 'Em
1929 Night Parade Playwright,Ringside
1929 Half Way to Heaven Director, writer
1930 El Dios del mar Writer
1930 All Quiet on the Western Front Writer
1930 The Fall Guy Playwright
1930 Manslaughter Director, writer
1930 The Sea God Director, writer
1931 The Leap into the Void Writer
1931 Stolen Heaven Director; writer
1931 The Incorrigible Playwright,Manslaughter
1931 Sombras del circo Playwright,Halfway to Heaven
1931 À mi-chemin du ciel Playwright,Halfway to Heaven
1931 Secrets of a Secretary Director, writer
1931 My Sin Director; writer
1931 The Cheat Director
1932 Halvvägs till himlen Writer
1932 Those We Love Playwright
1933 Lilly Turner Playwright
1934 Heat Lightning Playwright
1934 Straight Is the Way Playwright,Four Walls
1936 Three Men on a Horse Playwright
1938 Broadway Writer
1939 On Your Toes Playwright
1940 Too Many Girls Director
1940 The Boys from Syracuse Playwright, director
1941 Highway West Playwright,Heat Lightning
1942 Broadway Playwright
1947 Beat the Band Playwright
1957 The Pajama Game Writer, director, producer[1]
1958 Damn Yankees Writer, director, producer

Awards and nominations[edit]

Source:Playbill[19]

Awards
  • 1955 Tony Award for Best Musical –The Pajama Game
  • 1956 Tony Award for Best Musical –Damn Yankees
  • 1960Pulitzer Prize for Drama–Fiorello![21]
  • 1960 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical –Fiorello!
  • 1960 Tony Award for Best Musical –Fiorello!
  • 1963 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical –A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
  • 1976 Special Tony Award: The Lawrence Langer award
  • 1983Drama Desk Awardfor Outstanding Director of a Musical –On Your Toes
  • 1987 SpecialTony Awardon the occasion of his 100th birthday
Nominations
  • 1930Academy Awardfor Best Achievement in Writing –All Quiet on the Western Front[7]
  • 1958Writers Guild of AmericaAward for Best Written American Musical –Damn Yankees
  • 1958 Tony Award for Best Musical –New Girl in Town
  • 1958 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical –The Pajama Game
  • 1959Directors Guild of AmericaAward for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures –Damn Yankees
  • 1963 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play –Never Too Late
  • 1968 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical –How Now, Dow Jones

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefg"Abbott, George".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. I: A– Ak–Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2010. pp.13.ISBN978-1-59339-837-8.
  2. ^ab"George Abbott Biography"kennedy-center.org, accessed August 6, 2019
  3. ^ab"History, 1982"kennedy-center.org, accessed August 6, 2019
  4. ^abHall, Carla; McCombs, Phil."Doing the Honours"Washington PostDecember 6, 1982
  5. ^"National Medal of Arts".National Endowment for the Arts.RetrievedOctober 20,2013.
  6. ^abcd Sweeney, Louise."Director George Abbott"Christian Science Monitor,January 6, 1983
  7. ^abcdLucy E. Cross."George Abbott".Masterworks Broadway.RetrievedOctober 20,2013.
  8. ^abc"George Abbott. The Stars"pbs, accessed August 5, 2019
  9. ^"Theatre's `Mr. Abbott' Dies At 107"[permanent dead link]Seattle Times,February 1, 1995
  10. ^Staff (February 13, 1995)."Theater: Director/Writer George Abbott, 1887–1995".Newsweek.RetrievedAugust 28,2013.
  11. ^abFolkart, Burt."George Abbott; Legendary Broadway Producer, 107"Los Angeles Times,February 1, 1995
  12. ^abArias, Ron (July 6, 1987).Marking His First Century, George Abbott Once Again Brings Broadway to Broadway ".People.Vol. 28, No. 1. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  13. ^Database (undated)."Maureen Stapleton".Notable Names Database.
  14. ^abcdBerger, Marilyn(February 2, 1995)."George Abbott, Broadway Giant with Hit after Hit, Is Dead at 107".The New York Times.Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  15. ^Resting Places: The Burial Places of 14,000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson
  16. ^"George Abbott Theatre"ibdb, accessed August 5, 2019
  17. ^"The Western New York Entertainment Hall of Fame".RetrievedFebruary 20,2012.
  18. ^"National Medal of Arts".National Endowment for the Arts.RetrievedOctober 20,2013..
  19. ^ab"George Abbott Broadway"Playbill(vault), accessed August 5, 2019
  20. ^Never Too Lateibdb, accessed August 5, 2019
  21. ^"Prize Winners by Category"pulitzer.org, accessed August 6, 2019

External links[edit]

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