Tommy Dix

Tommy Dix
Born
Bobby Paine Brittain Navard

(1923-12-06) December 6, 1923 (age 101)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Singer, actor

Tommy Dix (born Bobby Paine Brittain Navard; December 6, 1923) is an American former baritone singer and actor. He started performing at the age of 11 in 1935.[1] He attended Juilliard School at the age of 15.[2]

Dix appeared in the Broadway play The Corn Is Green, which ran from 1941 to 1942.[3] He had the male lead in the musical film Best Foot Forward (1943). He played the young cadet Bud Hooper opposite Lucille Ball.[4] He sang several songs in it. He had previously played Chuck Green in the 1941 Broadway musical of the same name.[5] He sang regularly at various clubs, including the Stage Door Canteen.[6] He decided to retire from show business in the late 1940s. He attended the University of Alabama, majoring in architectural engineering. He worked in real estate and construction.[1]

Personal life

Dix was married to Margaret Ann Grayson in Alabama. They later divorced. He served in the Army during World War II.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "He 'retired' from show biz fame at 24". Sunday News. June 27, 1975. p. 128. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Tommy Dix, 'Winsocki' Man, Is Happy In New Career". Fort Lauderdale News. June 30, 1943. p. 40. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Williams, Emlyn (1941) [1938]. The Corn Is Green. New York: Random House. OCLC 699598.
  4. ^ "'Best Foot Forward' Snappy Musical Film". Daily News. June 30, 1943. p. 40. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "'New musical and mystery hit Broadway". Sunday News. October 5, 1941. p. 16f. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "AMERICAN THEATRE WING". Billboard. Vol. 56, no. 6. February 5, 1944. p. 5.
  7. ^ "Tommy Dix to sing in star studded cotton show here". The Birmingham News. March 26, 1951. p. 6. Retrieved February 8, 2023.