Actor. He was a popular American motion picture and television actor from the 1940s to the 1970s. Although he did have dramatic roles, he mainly appeared in musical comedies with dancing parts. His acting career began in 1921 with a minstrel show and later appeared in vaudeville. He made his Broadway debut in the 1937 production "Babes in Arms" before having film roles. Even into the 1970s, he returned to the stage. During World War II (WWII), he was drafted into the United States Army as a commissioned Army officer after graduation from Signal Corps Officer Candidate School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Eventually, he was deployed overseas, serving with the 88th Infantry Regiment in northern Italy. He worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Universal Studios and after World War II, 20th Century-Fox. He did return to MGM in the mid-1950s. In 1949 and 1950, he ranked in the Top 25 Most Popular Film Stars. During his career, he is credited with at least 51 films. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he was a "big man" for a dancer. He was nominated in 1951 for a Golden Globe Award in the category of Best Actor in Comedy or Musical in the John Ford film "When Willie Comes Marching Home" (1950). During the late 1940s to early 1950s, he frequently co-starred with Betty Grable in musical films such as "Mother Wore Tights" (1947) and "My Blue Heaven" (1950). In the 1960s, he successfully ventured into roles in television. For his performance in the 1969 to 1970 sitcom "The Governor & J.J.," he received in 1969 the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Musical or Comedy, the first-ever for the category. He was nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor in 1948 for "When My Baby Smiles at Me." He was the older brother of actress Irene Dailey. His last film performance was in "The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover" (1977). He was a college lecturer, speaking on the subject of dance and the film industry. He enjoyed training horses for jumping competitions and receiving at least 75 prize ribbons. In 1977, he fractured his hip from a fall and as a dedicated performer, he appeared on stage in a wheelchair. Later, he had a total hip replacement, dying from complications. He married four times, divorced three, and had a son with his second wife. His only child, Dan Dailey III, died from an apparent suicide in 1975.
Actor. He was a popular American motion picture and television actor from the 1940s to the 1970s. Although he did have dramatic roles, he mainly appeared in musical comedies with dancing parts. His acting career began in 1921 with a minstrel show and later appeared in vaudeville. He made his Broadway debut in the 1937 production "Babes in Arms" before having film roles. Even into the 1970s, he returned to the stage. During World War II (WWII), he was drafted into the United States Army as a commissioned Army officer after graduation from Signal Corps Officer Candidate School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Eventually, he was deployed overseas, serving with the 88th Infantry Regiment in northern Italy. He worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Universal Studios and after World War II, 20th Century-Fox. He did return to MGM in the mid-1950s. In 1949 and 1950, he ranked in the Top 25 Most Popular Film Stars. During his career, he is credited with at least 51 films. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he was a "big man" for a dancer. He was nominated in 1951 for a Golden Globe Award in the category of Best Actor in Comedy or Musical in the John Ford film "When Willie Comes Marching Home" (1950). During the late 1940s to early 1950s, he frequently co-starred with Betty Grable in musical films such as "Mother Wore Tights" (1947) and "My Blue Heaven" (1950). In the 1960s, he successfully ventured into roles in television. For his performance in the 1969 to 1970 sitcom "The Governor & J.J.," he received in 1969 the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Musical or Comedy, the first-ever for the category. He was nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor in 1948 for "When My Baby Smiles at Me." He was the older brother of actress Irene Dailey. His last film performance was in "The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover" (1977). He was a college lecturer, speaking on the subject of dance and the film industry. He enjoyed training horses for jumping competitions and receiving at least 75 prize ribbons. In 1977, he fractured his hip from a fall and as a dedicated performer, he appeared on stage in a wheelchair. Later, he had a total hip replacement, dying from complications. He married four times, divorced three, and had a son with his second wife. His only child, Dan Dailey III, died from an apparent suicide in 1975.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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