Billie Worth

Billie Worth (born Wilhelmina E. Rothmund; October 20, 1916 – December 3, 2016) was an American actress who performed on Broadway and in other venues from regional theater in the United States to European capitals. Her name is sometimes seen as Billy Worth,[1] and she is also known as Billie Worth Burr.[2]

Billie Worth
Actress Billy Worth dressed for tennis, 6 October 1937, Sydney, by Sam Hood
Born
Wilhelmina E. Rothmund

(1916-10-20)October 20, 1916
Rome, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 3, 2016(2016-12-03) (aged 100)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBilly Worth, Billie Worth Burr
Occupation(s)Actor, tennis player
Known forThumbs Up! (1934), Higher and Higher (1940), Bright Lights of 1944 (1943), Jackpot (1944), Seven Lively Arts (1944), South Pacific (1949), and Courtin' Time (1951).

Life and career

Worth was born as Wilhelmina Rothmund in Rome, New York on October 20, 1916,[3][4] as a member of a show business family.[2] In her youth, her tennis skills made her a ranking junior player in the Eastern states.[5]

Worth's Broadway credits included Thumbs Up! (1934), Higher and Higher (1940), Bright Lights of 1944 (1943), Jackpot (1944), Seven Lively Arts (1944), South Pacific (1949), and Courtin' Time (1951).[3] In 1953, she was called "the toast of the British Isles" for her performance as leading lady in a London production of Call Me Madam[6] that ran for 18 months.[7] She also played in Anything Goes in London and in five musical comedies in Australia.[5] She performed in American regional theaters, including the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera[6] and Muny Opera in St. Louis,[8] and she directed some regional productions.[2]

In November 1935, Worth married Edgar Burr Lush, an actor who used the stage name Donald Burr.[9][10][5] They had two children and remained together until Burr's death on February 27, 1979, at the age of 71.[11] In the early 1970s, she sold real estate.[2] Worth latterly lived in Wellington, Florida. She died on December 3, 2016, at the age of 100.[12]

References
  1. Wallace, Kenneth G. (July 6, 1960). "Billy Worth Gives 'Mame' A New Flair". The Record. New Jersey, Hackensack. p. 65. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Crossett, Allen (April 27, 1972). "Concerning The Past and The Present -- A Talk With Billie Worth Burr". Bernardsville News. New Jersey, Bernardsville. p. 16. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Billie Worth". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  4. "Today, Oct. 20". Passaic, New Jersey: The Herald-News. October 20, 1977. p. 34. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  5. "A Star Is Born As Billie Worth Steps Into Ethel Merman Role". The Birmingham News. Alabama, Birmingham. March 13, 1949. p. 93. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Star of 'Lady in the Dark' Whisked Here From London". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. August 20, 1953. p. 12. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Billie Worth Is At Oakdale For 'Call Me Madam" Lead". The Bridgeport Post. Connecticut, Bridgeport. August 22, 1954. p. 36. Retrieved December 29, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Muny Opera Casts Include Five New Comediennes, New Comedians and Dance Teams". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Missouri, St. Louis. May 25, 1947. p. 2 F. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Walter Winchell on Broadway". Dayton, Ohio: The Dayton Herald. November 18, 1935. p. 23. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  10. Smith, John C. (October 20, 1957). "Paddling to Broadway". Cincinnati, Ohio: The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 155. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  11. "Donald Burr, Singer, Actor and Director Of Broadway Shows". The New York Times. March 1, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  12. "Wilhelmina E. Lush". Forever Missed. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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