‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ Star Rose Marie Passes Away At 94
Rose Marie, who entertained viewers as writer Sally Rogers on the popular sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, died on Thursday, Dec. 28.
Marie passed away at her home in Van Nuys, California, at the age of 94. News of her death was confirmed by her agent and official website.
"It is with broken hearts that we share the terribly sad news that our beloved Rose Marie passed away this afternoon," Marie's official Twitter account announced on Thursday.
Marie was a multitalented entertainer. She not only enjoyed a successful acting career but was also known for her singing and comic talent. However, she will always be remembered for portraying the role of wisecracking writer Sally Rogers in the popular 1960s sitcom.
Early Life And Career
Born in New York in 1923, she derived her name from the popular Broadway musical of the same name. She entered the show business at the age of three, when she won a talent contest at New York's Mecca Theater and started her professional career as the singing child wonder Baby Rose Marie. She even had her own radio show on NBC by the time she was four years old.
During the 1930s, Marie made small appearances in films, including the 1933 comedy International House, which also starred W.C. Fields, and started headlining at nightclubs after dropping the hit ballad, "Baby."
She also co-headlined the opening night of Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas in 1946, along with Jimmy Durante and Xavier Cugat.
That year, she tied the knot with Bobby Guy, a trumpeter with Kay Kyser's big band who eventually joined the NBC orchestra. He passed away in 1964, and she never remarried. The couple had a daughter named Georgiana, who survives her.
Marie made her debut on Broadway in the early 1950s with Top Banana. She starred alongside Phil Silvers in the musical as well as the subsequent film adaptation, which helped land her a role in My Sister Eileen.
Marie starred alongside Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, and, occasionally, creator Carl Reiner on The Dick Van Dyke Show , which ran from 1961 through 1966 on CBS.
She was a part of all five seasons of the sitcom and was also nominated for an Emmy in 1963, 1964, and 1966 for her performance. After the show ended, she bagged a role on another CBS sitcom, The Doris Day Show. Marie was also a regular on the original Hollywood Squares for 14 years.
She went on to feature in a bunch of films including Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966), Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title (1966), and Lunch Wagon (1981).
Her other career highlights include touring with Rosemary Clooney, Helen O'Connell, and Margaret Whiting in the show 4 Girls 4 in the late '70s and early '80s.
Celebrities Mourn Marie's Death
Many celebrities, including the likes of Larry King and Mark Hamill, took to Twitter to express their condolences shortly after receiving news of Marie's death.
I was so sad to learn of the passing of Rosemarie. There's never been a more engaging & multi-talented performer. In a span of 90 years, since she was four, dear Rosie performed on radio, in vaudeville, night clubs, films, TV, & Vegas & always had audiences clamoring for "more!!"
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) December 29, 2017
RIP Rose Marie, one of the original (and terrific) wisecracking women in comedy. TV would never have been the same without her. — Larry King (@kingsthings) December 29, 2017
Rest In Peace Rose Marie!
Thank you for bringing my family and I a lifetime of happiness and laughter! One of my greatest childhood memories was gathering around our set to watch “The Dick Van Dyke Show” Honored to have worked w you on the pilot “Faculty Lounge” Love you— Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) December 29, 2017
Thanks for the all the laughs @RoseMarie4Real! So glad you could take your final bow while enjoying ANOTHER career high w/#WaitForYourLaugh & a new generation of fans who loved you. Your timing always was... perfection. #RIPRosie - mh https://t.co/OBcWdwvmk5 — @HamillHimself (@HamillHimself) December 29, 2017
