Our Legendary Line of Long-Legged Lovelies
At age 17
Glenda Guilfoyle
"My family renting a cabin in New Jersey and going to Palisades Amusement Park are my favorite childhood memories of summer."
She is the prototypical classic showgirl with a lifetime spent kicking up her heels in the chorus line. At 78, she is in her 17th season as a Fabulous Follies Long-Legged Lovely.
Glenda Guilfoyle, born in New York, started out by driving back east in the family car from San Bernardino with her professional dancer parents to become, at 17, one of the famed Radio City Rockettes.
She went west again for two years in Donn Arden's Moulin Rouge in Hollywood. Handpicked by Walt Disney himself, she danced in Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue. She also appeared in such Warner Brothers films as Robin and the Seven Hoods, with Frank Sinatra, and The Music Man.
Glenda's work in television included specials with Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Rosemary Clooney and Andy Griffith. She taught at Los Angeles dance academies, appeared in television commercials, and was a successful runway model.
Glenda also bakes delicious cookies. As a single, divorced mother, she raised and supported seven children by dancing and catering special events. Now, she clucks grandmotherly over a brood of 13 grandchildren. And in her "spare time" she paints still life art.
MORE FUN FACTS
- Daughter Stacy is a fine artist, daughter Stephanie is a physical therapist, daughter Karin is a hair salon owner, son Sean is an account executive, son Kurt is an L.A. Fire Department Captain, daughter Victoria is with the L.A Police Department and daughter Vanessa is a neonatal nurse.
- Three years ago, she tripped in the shower at home, broke a toe, but never missed a show.
- Dancing was in her genes. "Mother and Father," she says, "were in show business, and I followed in their footsteps."
- Her favorite dancers were Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Not much quarrel there.
