Gower Champion’s Death – Cause and Date

The director Gower Champion died at the age of 61. Here is all you want to know and more!

Biography - A Short Wiki

Director and choreographer of numerous Broadway musicals including Bye Bye Birdie, 42nd Street, The Happy Time, and Hello, Dolly!

He performed at nightclubs in a dance act with his friend Jeanne Tyler during his teen years.

He was honored with eight Tony Awards for his work as a director and choreographer.

Personal Life

He married second wife Karla Russell in 1976. He was previously married to Marjorie Celeste Belcher.

He starred in the 1953 film Give a Girl a Break with Bob Fosse.

How did Gower Champion die?

During the show’s tryout in Washington, Champion learned that he had a rare form of blood cancer, and after the first curtain call on the New York opening night, producer David Merrick informed the cast and the audience that Gower Champion had died that afternoon.