Sylvia Lewis

Sylvia Lewis is an American actress, dancer and choreographer.

For the British swimmer, see Sylvia Lewis (swimmer).
Sylvia Lewis
Born
York, Pennsylvania U.S.
Years active1952–90
Websitewww.sylvialewis.net

Career

Sylvia Lewis was born in York, Pennsylvania. She first performed as a young child in the last days of vaudeville in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her first classical training as a scholarship student at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, studying dance, voice and piano. She went to Hollywood at the age of twelve.[1]

Lewis began her film career in Singin' in the Rain and Red Garters as a dancer, then in Drums of Tahiti as an actress. Later, she added choreography on her list of credits, which began while she was a regular featured character on the ABC television series Where's Raymond?, in which she played a dancer named Sylvia who partnered series star Ray Bolger. Lewis appeared in the 1961 film The Ladies Man where she danced with star Jerry Lewis.

Lewis was one of several actresses considered for the role of Princess Aouda in Around the World in 80 Days (1956) after Shirley MacLaine rejected it twice. Lewis tested for the role twice, before MacLaine eventually accepted it.[2]

Lewis has choreographed many television shows since the 1950s, including Who's the Boss? and Married... with Children. Guest appearances on shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Beverly Hillbillies and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., along with a stage career on both coasts, earned her a reputation as a triple-threat performer.

In 1995 she appeared in the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies as July at age 63.[3]

Filmography

Television work

References
  1. Young, Brian R. (29 December 2021). "Forty-Plus Years as a Triple Threat in Hollywood's Golden Age!". FilmFax Plus. No. 160. Filmfax, Inc. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  2. Clemens, Samuel (2021). The Triumph and Tragedy of Suzanne Alexander. Sequoia Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-1639720385.
  3. Margolick, David (5 January 1995). "Kicking up Heels While Laughing Away the Years". The New York Times.
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