One of the original Queens of Hollywood, Rose Marie, has passed away at the age of 94. The famous Broadway star was a legend in the television world, with a lifelong career that eclipsed many other male actors of her era in a time when it was hard enough for women to even enter the industry.
In a professional career that spanned nine decades, her entry to fame came at age four, when she began recording songs for a sound short titled Baby Rose Marie the Child Wonder.
From there, she started working with various orchestras and jazz ensembles, skyrocketing in her youth to the charts. In fact, she was the last surviving singer to have a hit from before the Second World War, before her death.
RIP Rose Marie, one of the original (and terrific) wisecracking women in comedy. TV would never have been the same without her.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) December 29, 2017
Like any other celebrity from that era, she would have some help from some questionable sources.
After cementing herself as a powerful and moving singer, Rose Marie decided to follow her passion and perform comedy shorts on the radio, before finding her way into television.
From here on out, she never looked back. While her charm was undeniable, there were rumors of assistance from famous "persons-of-interest."
"My father worked as an arsonist for Al Capone," she said. "I was a child star and to me Al was my "˜Uncle Al,' my mother used to cook for all these guys."
She had reputable friends as well. In her lifetime she knew and worked with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and of course, Dick Van Dyke.
Her character as Sally Rogers on The Dick Van Dyke Show and her semi-recurring role on Hollywood Squares were incredible chapters in an already successful career, that demonstrated her wit and poise to audiences across the country.
She made film appearances in nearly 25 films over the years, and won a variety of awards, including three Emmy nominations and her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"I play me in almost everything I do," she had said. "I play a part to the best of my ability to get a joke out, to sell it, and to do it best."
Rose Marie passed away in her home Thursday afternoon. Her presence will be forever missed.
