Remembering Tap Dancer Miriam Nelson

A tribute, profile and fan site for choreographer and professional tap dancer Miriam Nelson.

NAME: Miriam Nelson
ALSO KNOWN AS: Miriam Franklin, Miriam Franklyn, Miriam Nelson-Meyers
DATE OF BIRTH: September 21, 1922
PLACE OF BIRTH: Chicago, Illinois, United States
FIRST MARRIAGHE: Skater Gene Nelson (married 12/22/41; divorced 6/8/56)
SECOND HUSBAND: Producer Jack Meyers
SON: Chris Nelson
GRANDSONS: Christopher, Josh, and Matt
GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER: Emma
DATE OF DEATH: August 12, 2018 (at age 98)
PLACE OF DEATH: Beverly Hills, California, United States

- Born in Chicago in 1919
- Began tap dancing: Age 10
- Moved to New York Age 14
- Studied tap dancing in New York with: Ernest Carlos
- Performed at Billy Rose's Casa Mana with dance partner Van Johnson

Miriam Nelson co-choreographed dance numbers for her husband Gene Nelson's appearances in musical films and she coached Doris Day and other stars in her husband's films, that included "Tea for Two", "Lullaby of Broadway", "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" and She's Working Her Way Through College".

She also choreographed films by Columbia and Paramount Studios with her friend Blake Edwards. Among her many film actress and film choreographer credits are: "Cover Girl" (1944; specialty dancer), "Double Indemnity" (1944; Keyes' secretary) "Hail the conquering hero" (1944; tap dancer) "Duffy's Tavern" (1945; dancer) "Hail the Conquering Hero" (1944; tap dancer), "The Daughters of Rosie O'Grady", "The Jolson Story" (1946: dance double for Evelyn Keyes), "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961 as party guest), "Picnic" (1956; choreographer), "Hawaii" (1966; choreographer), "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice" (1969; choreographer, and "The Apartment" (1959; Christmas party dance choreographer).

She was known as the "Marnie Nixon of Tap" because she provided tap sounds for many films.

She considered the tap-ballet number she performed in "Duffy's Tavern" to be her best performance in films.

She only appeared in one film with her husband Gene Nelson: "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady".

Authored the Book:
TITLE: My Life Dancing With The Stars Amazon Ad

---

FORWARD BY: Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards
DATE PUBLISHED: June 30, 2009
PUBLISHER: BearManor Media
NUMBER OF PAGES: 328

Miriam Nelson Dot Net
Official Web site of Miriam Nelson. Main sections of the site include About, Portfolio, Photo Album, Newsroom, and Contact.

Performing Arts Database "Miriam Nelson" Bio

Masters of American Tap "Miriam Nelson" Profile

Internet Broadway Database "Miriam Franklyn" Listing
Includes her appearances in Broadway musicals under the name Miriam Franklyn or Miriam Franklin, including
- "Sing Out the News" (1938-1939) with June Allyson
- "Yokel Boy" (1939-1940) with Judy Canova and Buddy Ebsen
- George White's Scandals (1939)
- "Very Warm for May" (1939-1940) with June Allyson and Eve Arden
- "Higher and Higher" (1940) with June Allyson
- "Panama Hattie" (1940-1942) with Ethel Merman, Betty Hutton, June Allyson
- "Let's Face It" (1041-1943) with Danny Kayeand Eve Arden

Internet Movie Database "Miriam Nelson" Listing
Includes her film and television credits as an actress, as a dancer, and as a choreographer in films and television shows between 1943 and 2014.