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Bobby Van, a versatile singer, dancer, and actor, embodied the lively and spirited song-and-dance man capable of brightening any film he appeared in. Unfortunately, he arrived at the tail end of MGM's musical heyday in the 1950s. While the memories of Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor often dominate the "Golden Age" of musicals, Bobby was a delightful peer.
Born Robert Jack Stein on December 6, 1928, in the Bronx, New York, Bobby spent much of his early years behind the scenes, as his parents were vaudeville performers. He made his stage debut at just four years old, stealing scenes in his parents' act. Growing up in New York City, he attended local schools and developed a keen interest in music, initially focusing on the trumpet. However, a last-minute opportunity to replace a performer at a Catskill Mountains resort where his band was playing changed his path. A natural entertainer, he also told jokes and did impressions. His budding career was interrupted by World War II, but he eventually regained momentum, performing regularly in nightclubs, on radio, and television.
Bobby gained Broadway attention with the 1950 musicals "Alive and Kicking" and the revival of "On Your Toes." In 1952, he married musical actress Diane Garrett, who retired soon after; the couple adopted a son, Peter, in 1959. Professionally, 1952 was a pivotal year for Bobby as he joined MGM and began appearing in films. He partnered with Debbie Reynolds in "Skirts Ahoy!" (1952) and had a small role in the glossy Mario Lanza film "Because You're Mine" (1952), which featured him in a dance solo. The following year, he secured "second lead" roles in "Small Town Girl" (1953) alongside Jane Powell, showcasing his famous "hopping" dance sequence, and starred as the charming high school heartthrob in the warm "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis" (1953). His standout performance came in the musical classic "Kiss Me Kate" (1953), where he, Tommy Rall, and Bob Fosse stunned audiences with their breathtaking footwork in the "From This Moment On" number. Despite this film's potential to elevate his movie career, it marked his final screen appearance for over a decade.
With MGM's "Golden Age" behind him, Bobby sought work elsewhere. He maintained a lower profile but stayed active in nightclubs and worked as a choreographer, staging musical numbers for Jerry Lewis films "The Ladies Man" (1961) and "It's Only Money" (1962). He also appeared regularly on television, with a recurring role in the short-lived series "Mickey" (1964), starring his old MGM friend Mickey Rooney. The two later performed together in nightclubs.
After divorcing Diane Garrett in the early 1960s, Bobby married singer and comedienne Elaine Joyce in 1968. The couple frequently appeared together on game shows such as "Tattletales" (1974) and "Match Game" (1973). Game shows became a steady source of work for Bobby, who hosted several, including "Showoffs" (1975), "The Fun Factory" (1976), and "Make Me Laugh" (1979). His stage career was revived with his co-starring role in the successful 1971 Broadway revival of "No, No, Nanette," alongside Susan Watson and Tony winner Helen Gallagher. Bobby earned a Tony nomination and went on to perform in original musicals like "Doctor Jazz" (1975) and established shows such as "Mack and Mabel" (1975), "Anything Goes" (1977), and "Dames at Sea" (1978). In 1977, he and Elaine welcomed a daughter, Taylor.
Tragically, in 1979 Bobby was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Despite surgery to remove it, the cancer returned. Ever the professional, he continued performing, with his final appearance as host of the "Mrs. America Pageant" in June 1980. Bobby Van passed away on July 31, 1980, at the age of 51. He is interred at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Burbank, California.
