Biography
Born on 23 January 1930 in Inwood, Iowa, USA, and passing away on 23 June 1993 in Los Angeles, California, USA, Swenson studied at the School of American Ballet before establishing himself first as a dancer and subsequently as a choreographer. He performed in numerous musical productions across New York stages, with his Broadway credits encompassing Great To Be Alive! and Bless You All, both mounted in 1950, followed by Destry Rides Again in 1959 and Wildcat in 1960. The last of these featured Lucille Ball and Cyd Charisse, and Swenson’s contribution is preserved on the original cast album. His next Broadway outing arrived with Cy Coleman’s Little Me in 1962, a showcase for Sid Caesar in seven separate parts; nonetheless, Swenson earned the strongest notices for his portrayal of George Musgrove. Sharing the stage with Virginia Martin, cast as Belle Schlumpfort, he performed the first-act number ‘I’ve Got Your Number,’ during which he executed an erotic solo dance that consistently stopped the show and drew enthusiastic critical praise. The production completed 257 performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, earning Swenson both a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor and a Theatre World Award. He later repeated the role in a well-received London staging at the Cambridge Theatre that starred Bruce Forsyth.
Additional stage work in the 1960s included A Joyful Noise in 1966, while the 1970s brought appearances in Molly in 1973 and Ulysses In Nighttown in 1974; that decade also saw him provide the choreography for The American Dance Machine in 1978. He took part in several revivals, among them Guys And Dolls, Can-Can, and No, No, Nanette. His film résumé remained modest, highlighted by a supporting turn in the 1971 feature What’s The Matter With Helen?, which starred Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters. On television he portrayed the Gryphon in a 1983 adaptation of Alice In Wonderland and made guest appearances on Caesar’s Your Show Of Shows and The Ed Sullivan Show.
Additional stage work in the 1960s included A Joyful Noise in 1966, while the 1970s brought appearances in Molly in 1973 and Ulysses In Nighttown in 1974; that decade also saw him provide the choreography for The American Dance Machine in 1978. He took part in several revivals, among them Guys And Dolls, Can-Can, and No, No, Nanette. His film résumé remained modest, highlighted by a supporting turn in the 1971 feature What’s The Matter With Helen?, which starred Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters. On television he portrayed the Gryphon in a 1983 adaptation of Alice In Wonderland and made guest appearances on Caesar’s Your Show Of Shows and The Ed Sullivan Show.